North Tyneside Council's Sports Development Team has received national recognition for the quality of its service.

The team obtained a Quest score of 77 per cent, gaining the status of highly commended, and is the only sports development service in Tyne and Wear to be recognised.

The Sports Development Team is responsible for sports programmes, coaching courses and physical activities across the borough.

Quest is the UK scheme for sport and leisure organisations, and sets out industry standards and good practice, taking into consideration areas such as community engagement and health and safety.

It is supported by Sport England, who is responsible for building the foundations of sporting success, by creating a world-leading community sport system of clubs, coaches, facilities and volunteers.

Cllr Glynis Barrie, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "This is great news for our sport and leisure customers.

"This national recognition means they can be sure they will receive a high quality service from our teams."

This year's score was an improvement of almost 10 percent from the authority's first score in 2007 of 69 per cent.

Three of North Tyneside's sports centres have already been Quest commended:

- Marden Bridge Sports Centre, Whitley Bay, in November, 2008
- Tynemouth Pool, North Shields, in December 2008
- The Parks, North Shields, in March 2009

Lakeside is due for assessment in the autumn, and both Sport and Leisure @ Burnside in Wallsend and Waves in Whitley Bay will undergo assessments early next year.