A SCHEME has been launched to keep youngsters out of trouble during the summer holidays.

The Splash! programme has been organised by Gateshead Youth Offending Team with £15,000 from the Youth Justice Board, and is aimed at youngsters in the Leam Lane and Springwell areas of the borough.

They hope that by laying on activities for youngsters, they will not turn to crime during the six-week break.

Activities include daily coaching sessions in soccer, rugby league and other sports, a graffiti art project and a conservation project converting a former chicken run at Bill Quay farm, into a livery stable.

A spokesman for the scheme said: "Young people will also have the opportunity to get a taste of real adventure, including white water rafting at the Tees Barrage, quad biking in Durham, and white knuckle riding at Lightwater Valley.

"The Splash! programme is a ministerial initiative funded by the Youth Justice Board as a means of reducing crime, and the Gateshead Youth Offending Team will have clear crime reduction targets to achieve during the five-week programme.

"Splash! will be the forerunner to a number of other crime diversion programmes in the Gateshead area, such as the sport-based Positive Futures programme, which is supported by Sport England, and the Youth Inclusion programme, which will be launched later in the year.''

The programme is based at the Whitehouse Lane Playing Fields and Youth Centre, in Wrekenton. Prices have been kept low to attract as many youngsters as possible.

The programme was launched yesterday at Felling Pool by Newcastle Falcons rugby player Liam Botham.