Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry has called on education secretary Estelle Morris to ensure that National Lottery cash is available to improve sports facilities in county schools. The Banbury Tory has written to the cabinet minister about the poor state of recreational provision in such institutions.

He believes Lottery cash could provide upgrades to benefit of both school children and the community.

After speaking to every school in his north Oxfordshire constituency, he said teachers believed more cash would be needed to meet Government proposals to boost sporting opportunities for young people.

Headteachers believe there are simply not sufficient facilities to match the enthusiasm of their pupils.

At Warriner Comprehensive School, Banbury, there is just a sports hall, with changing and shower facilities 100 metres away, all dating back 30 years.

Staff want a roof placed over the swimming pool so it can be used all year round and an all-weather sports pitch.

Mr Baldry said this "disappointing state of affairs" could put pupils in danger, and prevented school sports facilities from being available to young people and adults, outside school hours.

He wants a new system of allocating cash and said: "I think it would well be worth the Government considering to what ends funds from the National Lottery could be invested, so that community facilities could exist up and down the country."