A SCHEME to keep youngsters active during the summer holiday has won government funding to expand and improve.

The Cop-a-lot initiative, in Scarborough, is the only such scheme in North Yorkshire to win cash under the Government's Positive Activities for Young People Programme.

A grant of £135,000, over three years, will be used to extend an initiative to provide sports and arts activities for the young.

The programme is aimed at the most vulnerable children and those at risk of social exclusion and offending, or of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.

Funding has also been provided to appoint a Connexions personal advisor.

The advisor will work with members of the Safer Communities Partnership, undertake one-to-one work with young people most at risk and encourage them to realise their full potential.

Scarborough Borough Council's crime and disorder reduction officer, Anne Boyens, said: "This is an exciting opportunity, and has enabled the partnership to extend Cop-a-lot, which has proved so successful in other parts of the borough, to Eastfield.

"Plans are already well under way to organise a programme of events during the holidays, which will be a mix of educational, sport and arts-based activities and sessions."