THREE schools and a college in Wyre Forest have received government funding to expand their sporting facilities.

Over the past three months, Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire has invested more than £253,000 through the Opening School Facilities funding from the Department for Education - supporting schools to open their sporting facilities for the wider community.

Franche Community Primary School has received £20,675 to purchase equipment, CPD, and delivery of additional swimming sessions for year four, five and six pupils that are unable to swim.

Holy Trinity School has received £40,746 to develop a new fitness suite open to school users and the community.

Wolverley Secondary School has benefited from £2,374 to purchase equipment and coaching to support girls football and Baxter College has secured £3,128 to purchase equipment and coaching to deliver non-contact boxing for fitness and mental health.

Stephen Brewster, chief executive officer at Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “We are delighted to distribute Opening School Facilities funding to so many local schools.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for schools to develop sustainable physical activity opportunities and improve the accessibility of opportunities for their local communities.

“At a time when over half of children and young people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are not meeting the government guidelines for physical activity, it is vital that we work with schools to address the stubborn inequalities that remain.”