A PIONEERING project costing £125,000 is to be launched to encourage young people to get active.

The Get Active Westhoughton project could be up and running in the town as soon as April, according to Bolton Council officers.

The joint venture, between the council's youth services team and sport, health and inclusion officers, is aimed at combating anti-social behaviour on Westhoughton streets and encouraging wider participation in sports and physical activity.

Specially-appointed officers will run activity sessions for 13 to 19-year-olds, three times a week.

There will also be opportunities for youngsters to gain leadership and skills qualifications.

Westhoughton town council have agreed to provide £125,000 funding for the three-year scheme.

Westhoughton North and Chew Moor councillor, Arthur Price, said: "I hope this project will take the focus away from youths causing a disturbance and shift attention to them achieving and getting active.

"This will help get them fit and target growing obesity problems. It will also encourage them to go out into the community, bridging generation gaps."

Activities will include sport, dance and DJ-ing. Youngsters will then be expected to use their new skills to help their peers.

The project is the first of its type to be run by the two council departments and it is hoped that it will help wipe out anti-social behaviour problems that have plagued the town.

The grant from Westhoughton town council is expected to come from the imminent sale of the now defunct Westhoughton Youth Drop-in centre on Bolton Road.

Bolton Council's principal sports development officer, Kerril Casey, said: "We're looking to increased participation in physical activity.

"Bolton's up-take levels for these types of activities is low but the idea is for them to be able to put what they learn, back into the community."