SCHOOLS from Keighley district are among 260 projects across Yorkshire and Humber benefitting from more than £8.1 million of National Lottery funding.

Merlin Top Primary Academy, Haworth Primary School, Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, Beechcliffe Special School and Kildwick CE Primary School have all been given shares of money.

Together they have received a combined total of £49,892.

Merlin Top has been awarded a £10,000 grant for its Braithwaite Community Football initiative.

This Saturday football club for local children is designed to help cut antisocial behaviour and improve the health of youngsters.

Haworth Primary School has been given £9,947 for its Fitness for Health Area.

A spokesman for the lottery explained: "Haworth Primary is putting in artificial grass and a play trail. This will provide access to stimulating outdoor equipment with the aim of encouraging physical activity."

Haworth Primary headteacher Helen Thompson said the new installations are already in place, with the work completed shortly before the end of May.

"At the back of the school we have a trim trail with log climbers and rope bridges," she said.

"And we also have new playground markings and a four ball basket hoop shooter.

"This has made a massive improvement to our outdoor provision for the children. It gives them more focused play areas and is also great for our PE lessons.

"Our children are really excited and are looking forward to learning how to use the different elements of the installations. We're very grateful to the National Lottery for this funding."

Our Lady of Victories Catholic School has received a £9,950 grant for its Wild Escape Community Project, which involves developing a community nature area. This will enable the school to provide gardening, forest school and conservation activities.

The £10,000 awarded to Beechcliffe Special School will be used for a scheme called Get Growing with Beechcliffe.

The lottery spokesman said: "The funding will be used to develop the school's outdoor area, to include an outdoor classroom and raised beds.

"This project aims to provide after school and holiday activities for pupils, and allow safe access to the school’s outdoor area for all pupils in order to promote inclusion and wellbeing."

Kildwick CE Primary School's £9,995 grant will go towards its Kildwick Community Geonaut Project.

It will involve the school running an after-school geology initiative for children, their parents and the wider community. Adults and pupils taking part in the scheme will study fossils and go on a trip to Robin Hood's Bay.

James Harcourt, England grant making director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “It’s when you hear about projects like these that you realise the incredible impact that funding has had on communities across Yorkshire and Humber.

"Whether the grant is for £500, or £500,000, our funding is used to run amazing projects led by local people. It really is life changing.”