SOUTH Lakeland primary schools have been told they are to receive an extra £367,400 to encourage more pupils to take up sport.

The money will be made available to headteachers from September, education minister Edward Timpson has announced.

Prime Minister David Cameron previously said there would be an additional £150 million set aside by Government to fund primary school PE and sport to capitalise on the legacy of the London Olympics.

The money is ‘ring-fenced’, meaning it is designed specifically to support and develop sports, but schools will be able to decide how best to use it for their pupils.

Every state-funded school in the country with primary-aged pupils has qualified for funding.

The Department for Education has also asked Ofsted to take PE and sport provision into account when inspecting schools.

From September, inspectors will look at how efficiently schools use sport funding to increase participation and develop healthy lifestyles.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “This is fantastic news for primary school children across the South Lakes.

“Last year’s Olympics aimed to ‘inspire a generation’ and investing in primary schools and giving them the money to help young children to get involved in sports is the best way to do this.

“From September many young children across our area will have better access and greater encouragement to get into sports, which will not only lead to the next Andy Murray or Jessica Ennis but will also help our children to lead healthier lifestyles.”