A £400,000 scheme to get youngsters hooked on sport instead of drugs was launched yesterday.

The Government's Positive Futures initiative will target teenagers tempted by drugs and use professional sports coaches to urge them to take up a sport instead.

Part of a £5m nationwide push, schemes in the North-East will receive £437,000 to help projects in County Durham, Sunderland and Northumberland.

It is hoped the cash will help persuade bored youngsters that there are alternatives to getting involved in drugs, crime or anti-social behaviour.

County Durham's bid, which expects to receive £280,000, will aim to encourage more than 300 ten-16-year-olds to pick up a new health hobby.

Using partnerships with Durham County Cricket Club, football clubs Newcastle United and Sunderland, as well as the Newcastle Falcons rugby team, expert coaches will work with the county's youngsters.

Christina Blythe, head of County Durham Youth Offending Service, said: "We expect the Positive Futures project will do just that - provide a positive future for the county's children.

"We believe this project will provide the buzz factor needed to divert vulnerable young people from abusing substances and committing crime and lead some into competitive sport they would otherwise never have considered."

Sunderland will receive £90,000 and Castle Morpeth and Alnwick £67,000 for similar schemes