The Northern Echo has helped a Darlington school raise £25,000 in just two weeks so it can bid for special sports status.

Longfield School in Darlington appealed to the paper for help when it realised it had only a fortnight to raise the money it needed to make the bid to the Government to become a specialist sports college.

Staff and pupils had already raised £25,000 but needed to double that figure to make its bid.

If the bid is successful it will mean thousands of pounds of extra funding for the school’s sporting facilities which in turn will be used by the community.

A flood of donations from individuals and groups in the Darlington area followed the plea – and with just hours to go the full £25,000 was raised.

Deputy head teacher Sue Byrne said: “We are really thrilled and there has been a tremendous response.”

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