TWO Hyndburn schools are celebrating after receiving a cash boost from the New Opportunities Fund to improve their sports and recreation facilities.

St John's with St Augustine's Primary and St Mary Magdalen's Primary have been awarded £41,390 and £41,545 respectively as part of a county-wide cash injection of over £1.5M from the Lottery.

St John's headteacher Geoffrey Garlick said the cash would help make a real difference at the school in Maudsley Street, Accrington.

He said: "It has been two years in the making and this cash is going to completely refurbish the playground area and the boundaries as well. We are going to enhance the playground and take down the fencing as it is unattractive. We want to replace it with the old Victorian style to return it to its former glory."

The cash will help develop a broad spectrum of sporting activities at the school including football, short tennis and netball.

Mr Garlick added: "We are a church school so this will benefit all the pupils and the various youth groups which can access the facilities."

Improvement work is also going to be carried out at St Mary Magdelen's in Devonshire Street.

Headteacher Justine Chadwick said: "We are very grateful to the New Opportunities Fund for the funding and we will use it to change our playground and existing play area for the benefit of the whole community."

Work will involve placing markings for a pitch for mini-volleyball, short tennis, netball and five-a-side football.