TORFAEN education chiefs have won a £1.5m grant to boost sports facilities in county schools.

Torfaen's education department wants to improve or build new physical education and sports facilities at 18 schools.

Last April the authority put forward its projects to the New Opportunities Fund for consideration.

The NOF's decision-making committee recently accepted the proposals in full and awarded the council £72,550 to cover the costs of preparing detailed plans for each of the projects.

The funding will pay for architects, specialist consultants, technical surveys and planning fees.

The first of the projects is expected to be under construction by next April.

The plans are for: * a dance floor at Fairwater High School, Cwmbran * improved changing rooms at Trevethin Community School * a new sport laboratory and fitness centre at Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School * a climbing tower at Garnteg Primary School * a multi-sport hall at Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw * floodlights and a kickwall at Hollybush Primary School, * multi-sport areas at West Monmouth School and Llantarnam Comprehensive School, * a new outdoor play area at Crownbridge Special School, * a refurbished changing area and PE information and communication technology area at St Alban's RC High School * a new astro turf pitch at Abersychan Comprehensive School * new playgrounds equipped for sport at Pentwyn, Hillside and, Greenmeadow Primary schools and Coed Eva Junior School * refurbished changing rooms and showers at Pontnewydd Primary School.

The council also wants to improve Glenside Community Hall, Cwmbran, so it can serve as an Adventure Activity Day Centre for community use.

Councillor John Turner, executive member for education, said: "We have worked hard with our schools to find ways of improving the PE facilities for Torfaen's pupils and it is good to see this initial success. We hope to match the funding from NOF from other sources."