SCHOOL playing fields in Prescot are set to benefit from an investment of almost £11 million after council agrees on programme of improvements.

£10.825 million will be used over the next few years to significantly enhance the quality of the playing spaces for children and young people across Knowsley so pupils can enjoy fantastic sporting, leisure and other outdoor learning and development opportunities.

Phase one of the programme, which will affect Evelyn Community Primary and Our Lady’s RC Primary, will see more than £4m spent on projects at 19 schools this financial year, with another 34 schools benefitting in the second phase - including Prescot Primary, St Luke's Catholic Primary and St Mary and St Paul's C of E Primary.

Funding for programme has been taken from the proceeds of former school playing fields sold across the borough, from schools which no longer exist, due to closure, merger or relocation.

It is one of the investments which has been made possible because of the council’s Housing Land Disposal Programme, which will generate £21m in the next three years.