Two schools in Medway are to get a share of over £21 million of government funding to help improve their sports facilities.

The Howard School in Rainham will receive £250,000 for its sport hall and Greenacre School in Walderslade will receive £225,000 to put towards an artificial turf pitch.

The funding was released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to specialist sports colleges across the country so their sports pitches can be used in the evening and through the winter with floodlights, artificial turf and new tented style sports halls.

Paul Morris, head of the Howardl, said: "We're absolutely delighted. The gym will be completely refurbished. We will have a new roof, heating, new changing rooms, new facilities.

"Hopefully the work will start in the summer."

Andy Reese, head of Greenacre, said: "We're very happy that we have been awarded this money.It will be used to install an all weather playing surface the size of a football pitch on the field between Greenacre and Walderslade Girls so it will benefit them as well as us and the rest of the community after school hours."

Cllr Les Wicks, responsible for Medway Council’s children’s services said: "Sport plays an enormous part in our children's school life. It is very encouraging to be able to offer them the great facilities that will come from these investments. It will give the students the chance to enjoy lots of activities and at the same time get fit and healthy."

Children's secretary Ed Balls,announced the funding at the Sports Colleges Conference in Telford.

He said: "Once again sports colleges were the fastest improving specialist school network in terms of GCSE passes. Sports colleges are also leading the way, helping to increase the number of children and young people getting two hours of PE and sport every week – 250,000 more 5-16 year olds than this time last year."