PUPILS at two Accrington schools have been jumping for joy after finding out their playgrounds are to get a major facelift thanks to charity cash.

St John with St Augustine's CE and St Mary Magdalen's CE will both receive more than £41,000 each as part of New Opportunities lottery funding.

They will share in more than £800,000 of good cause money destined for Lancashire to improve and develop physical education and sports facilities.

At St John with St Augustine's, in Maudsley Street, the cash boost will provide new playground markings, decking and benches for mini-volleyball, football, netball and short tennis.

It will benefit not only the 207 school pupils but also for local community groups.

Five-a-side football and netball will also be available at St Mary Magdalen's thanks to a new 22-metre pitch.

Lancashire County Council also has plans to extend Borwick Hall Outdoor Education Centre in Carnforth, open to visiting schools from across the county.

Alan Whittaker, county councillor and cabinet member for education, said: "The projects approved today represent a major step in broadening the appeal of our facilities, enabling even more young people to experience sport and outdoor education."

Geoffrey Garlick, headteacher at St John with St Augustine's said: "We are very pleased.

"This is going to make a tremendous difference to the school playground and to the whole school. Parents and governors are delighted that we will also be able to offer the facility to local youth and church groups.

"We put the bid in two years ago, so this is long awaited good news."

Justine Chadwick, head at St Mary Magdalen's added: "We are excited to be able to turn our play area into an imaginative area which pupils and the community can benefit from."