SCHOOLS across Hampshire are to get a slice of a £6.6m lottery handout to boost sports facilities for students.

Six schools and two outdoor activity centres in the southern part of the county are to divide the cash between them.

The money will be spent on replacing outdated sport halls and gyms with gleaming new purpose-built facilities. It is hoped the cash will benefit more than 13,000 young people and over 10,000 members of the wider community.

The biggest winner is Stockbridge's Test Valley School, which is to get a brand new four-court sports hall and changing facilities after being awarded £1,467,000.

Elsewhere in the county, the money will pay for urgently needed changing rooms and shower facilities, as well as floodlit games halls.

Totton's Hounsdown School is another in line for a new sports hall thanks to its £1,137,000 share, as is Eastleigh's Alderman Quilley School with a cheque in the post for £1,092,000.

Alderman Quilley head Sue Ryder-Morgan said the cash would boost an already strong sports performance.

"We're thrilled,'' she said. "This school has been operating sports through an old-fashioned gym and the school hall for many years and we still get some of the best PE results.

"This will enhance our provision significantly. We are always trying to improve and this will be a great boost.''

Hounsdown head Di Nightingale said everyone would be better off now.

"We are absolutely delighted that we are to benefit. A brand new sports hall will enhance significantly the facilities for our pupils and enable us to provide opportunities for local community groups outside school hours. It's good news for Hounsdown and good news for Totton and the surrounding New Forest areas,'' she said.

Test Valley School head Wendy Morrish said: "We have been pursuing this for some time. This will enable us to add to our facilities, which is important, especially in a rural setting. Hopefully, it would also provide a facility for the community. I'm delighted.''

LOTTERY SHAREOUT:

Alderman Quilley School, Eastleigh - £1,092,000 for four-court sports hall and changing facilities

Hounsdown School, Totton - £1,137,000 for sports hall and changing facilities

Test Valley School, Stockbridge - £1,467,000 for sports hall and changing facilities

The Barn Outdoor Centre, Brockenhurst - £102,000 for accommodation

Minstead Study Centre, Lyndhurst - £481,000 for accommodation

Cams Hill School, Fareham - £260,000 for changing rooms and shower facilities

Crestwood Community School, Eastleigh - £250,000 for changing rooms and shower facilities

Bridgemary Community School, Gosport - £166,000 for a floodlit multi-use games hall