AN extra £13million is to be pumped into Lancashire schools in a bid to give youngsters a sporting chance of enjoying exercise.

Lancashire County Council has been given £11,396,000 and Blackburn with Darwen Council £2.5million by the Government's New Opportunities Fund to improve PE provision in the county.

Schools situated in deprived areas will benefit from the money in ways ranging from new playground markings to brand new sports halls.

The big winners in Blackburn with Darwen include Darwen Vale High School, which will receive a sports suite as a result of the money from the Government's New Opportunities Fund: PE sports programme.

New changing rooms, a pavilion and showers will be built at Suddell Primary School, Suddell Road, Darwen.

And floodlights will be installed on the all weather pitches at Hawthorns Junior School, St James Road, Blackburn.

In total, a quarter of the borough's 82 schools will benefit.

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning said: "This is fantastic news for school children and young people in the Borough.

"It will open a whole range of new opportunities for them to become involved in physical activity and will also help to improve the standard of sports facilities and PE in our schools."

In Lancashire County Council's area, 14 East Lancashire schools will get new facilities.

Nelson Walton High School and Rishton Norden High School will each get new sports halls costing more than £1million, as will Rawtenstall's Alder Grange High and Whitworth High School.

Burnley's Ivy Bank and Habergham High will share a near £2million sports hall, while Brierfield's Mansfield High will get a new synthetic pitch.

Five primary schools will have new multi-use games areas.

Coun Alan Whittaker, the cabinet member for education, said: "I am delighted that this money has come from the Government to help promote sport.

"PE has always been an important part of the curriculum and this money will ensure many thousands of pupils continue to get the best possible facilities.

"I am sure parents and teachers will be just as delighted as I am."