A YORK school is facing a race against time to secure £2,500 to become a sports college.

Staff at Oaklands School, in Acomb, are making a desperate last-minute plea for individuals or businesses to come forward and pledge the money before tomorrow's 10am deadline.

The school has so far collected £47,500 through pledges and a fundraising effort by pupils.

For the bid to be accepted they need £50,000, and with less than a day to go are still £2,500 short. Head teacher Michelle Burns said: "We are grateful, not just to the big sponsors, but to everyone who is a friend of the school or who has an interest in sport who has supported us with pledges."

If the bid is successful, the school could be in line for a lump sum of £100,000, along with £123 per pupil a year.

This will fund the development of an ICT unit, relocation of the fitness facilities and refurbishment the gym changing rooms.

The school is also hoping to secure a £400,000 Sport England lottery grant and money from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to develop new or existing facilities to improve PE in schools.

If all three are successful, the school will be able to go ahead with major expansion plans. These include the building of a 13-metre climbing wall, climbing centre, professional dance studio and education resource area.

Deputy head teacher Gavin Cowley, who is putting the bids together, said facilities would be used by a number of primary schools and community groups.

Anyone who would like to make a pledge should contact Mr Cowley on (01904) 782727 before 10am on Wednesday.

Updated: 11:36 Tuesday, October 01, 2002