HUNDREDS of children across the county will benefit from more sports activities after school and in the school holidays through a funding boost to help schools make better use of their facilities.

Active Cumbria, part of Cumbria County Council’s Public Health service is one of the recipients of a new national funding drive worth £2.4 million which will finance better sports activities and teaching including a scheme to increase the opportunities to use school sports facilities outside the school day.

The group aim to set up partnerships between secondary schools and local sport providers, encouraging them to open up their sport facilities for fun and engaging sporting competitions, after school clubs and holiday activities.

“I’m delighted that Cumbria has been selected to be part of this nationally funded programme," said Bruce Lawson, senior manager (development) at Active Cumbria.

“Initially we are working closely with staff and pupils from each school to gain a better understanding of respective needs, barriers and aspirations. "Thereafter, we will be looking to implement a range of new activities and opportunities as a ‘test and learn’ approach with the view to share good practice and scale this up across other schools in the county.”