PUPILS will soon be putting their best foot forward after a school secured a £100,000 grant for a new dance studio.

Downlands Community School will receive the six-figure sum from National Lottery to construct a state of the art facility to help young people take part in all forms of dance.

The centre in Hassocks will also be available for use by local community groups.

Downlands is one of 148 projects to secure a share of the National Lottery’s £10 million Sport England Inspired Facilities fund.

Deputy headteacher, Mark Wignall, said: “The success of the bid is a fantastic example of Downlands working in partnership with its community to provide a much needed resource both for students and local people.

“It cements Downlands place at the heart of our community.”

The successful bid for the money has been praised by the school’s local MP Nick Herbert.

Tory MP for Arundel and South Downs said: "I am absolutely delighted that Downlands has secured this grant from Sport England.

“This new facility will be a great resource for the pupils and the local community.

“Well done to all concerned for putting together this successful bid, and I look to forward to visiting the new dance studio when it opens."

Since 2011, Inspired Facilities has been helping breathe new life into tired community sports facilities and converting existing buildings into venues suitable for grassroots sport.

Sport England property director Charles Johnston said: “The Inspired Facilities Fund has had a huge impact on grassroots sport across the country.

“Since 2011, we’ve invested £94 million into more than 1,800 projects to improve and refurbish sports clubs and transform non-sporting venues into vibrant community sports clubs.

“It’s great to see Downlands Community School join the long list of successful organisations to benefit from this fund.”