A SCHEME that gives youngsters in a run-down area the chance to visit other places has been hailed a success.

The Fast Track Keyfund was launched during the school summer holidays in the Ford and Pennywell area of Sunderland, which is undergoing a major regeneration.

The pilot scheme, which was run by the Pennywell Youth Project as an extension to the existing Keyfund programme, gave money to youngsters for trips and activities, including bowling and swimming and trips to Metroland at Gateshead's MetroCentre.

Some youngsters had never been out of the area before and would have done little with their holidays.

Almost £2,000 was given by the scheme to 275 young people, the funding coming from the area's Single Regeneration Budget and the Tudor Trust.

Keyfund development worker Rachel Phillips said the scheme, which gave £5 a week to the youngsters, enabled them to go to places and do things they would not otherwise be able to do.

It also helped teach them about responsibility, because they had to apply for the money and explain in the application form why they needed it.

Ms Phillips said: "The original Keyfund has been a huge success, but is designed more for longer-term projects.

"We needed to develop an additional scheme which would give young people the chance to take up activities quickly.

"It can be difficult for some youngsters living here to access leisure facilities other young people take for granted."