AN extra nine primary schools are to benefit from improved playing pitches in Glasgow.

The Evening Times revealed in June that £2 million would be spent upgrading sports facilities in primaries following calls from parents.

An initial 14 schools had been promised new multi use games areas (MUGAs) to replace outdated blaes pitches.

But now education chiefs have pledged 23 schools will benefit from the scheme.

Convener for education, skill and early years, Councillor Chris Cunningham said: “Physical education and school sport play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of the city’s children as well as helping to raise attainment and achievement.

"The very nature of MUGAs means pupils will get to experience a range of sports they might not otherwise have been able to play on traditional blaes pitches.

"The next Jamie Murray, or Olympic or Commonwealth gold medalist may well be about to discover their sporting passion on one of the MUGAs installed in the months ahead.

“We also need to capitalize on the legacy of the European Championships when participation in sport should be at a high – with people wanting to try their hand at new activities."

The announcement marks an increase of a third on the figure initially announced in June.

Work is due to start in the next fortnight and will take until approximately Spring 2019.

The investment is the first phase in a programme which will eventually see all 41 blaes pitches at city primary schools replaced.

Local councillor Soryia Siddique has been supporting the parents' call for new pitches at Holy Cross Primary, in Govanhill, which has been in dire need of improvements.

She said: "Improved outdoor play and sports facilities are to be welcomed since there is a considered link between play and sport on health and resilience.

"Congratulations again to parent councils, including Holy Cross Primary, and communities that have campaigned to improved facilities for local schools."

The primary schools on the MUGA programme of works include: Sunnyside PS, Eastbank PS, St Thomas PS, Thornwood PS, Chirnsyde PS, Corpus Christi PS, Langfaulds PS, St Albert’s PS, Castleton PS, St Mary’s PS, Alexandra Parade PS, St Francis of Assisi PS, Caledonia PS, St Marnock’s PS, Kings Park PS, Darnley PS, Holy Cross PS, St Timothy’s PS, Sandaig PS, St Paul’s PS and Scotstoun PS.

Mr Cunningham added: "I’m delighted that we can make an investment in the well-being of our children, one which seeks to meet so many of our aspirations in a way pupils and the local community will enjoy.

“The fact that we are now able to announce more primary schools to benefit from this £3m council investment is really good news for our primary schools.”