SCORES of youngsters have enjoyed activities including indoor climbing.

Children made the most of a range of activities at Greencroft School, in Annfield Plain, Stanley. They included Brazilian football skills, graffiti art, street dancing, nail design and beauty therapy.

The taster sessions were to launch a project by the Youth Inclusion Programme.

The scheme aims to offer children in the Annfield Plain and Catchgate area activities to make sure they do not drift into trouble.

Susan Butler, the project's co-ordinator, said: "We put up a noticeboard for feedback and it has all been positive. Lots of the children have already signed up for more of the same activities."

Former boxing world champion Glenn McCrory visited on Wednesday to show off his International Boxing Federation belt.

The project aims to cut arrest rates of youngsters by 60 per cent, reduce recorded crime by 30 per cent and reduce truancy and school exclusions by a third.

The activities will be available to all children aged ten to 16 in the Catchgate and Annfield Plain areas, but officers will also work closely with 50 youngsters, aged between ten and 15, who are most at risk of offending.