YOUNGSTERS can look forward to an "active" time ahead after a grant of almost £70,000 to provide after-school activities.

Bromsgrove District Council is co-ordinating a partnership of local schools to set up and manage a new Active Learning Centre, based at the town's Dolphin Centre and at Bromsgrove Museum.

It hopes to provide exciting and innovative opportunities for children in sports, the arts and heritage projects after being awarded £69,224 last week.

"It's the first project of its kind to be awarded funds in the West Midlands region and it will make a real difference to a large number of children," said Councillor Terri Matthews, cabinet member responsible for recreation, amenities and tourism.

"We hope to make use of this money to persuade children who don't currently take part in sport and after-school activities, to get involved in a wide and exciting range of opportunities."

Qualified sports coaches and art workers will be employed to provide programmes throughout the school year, working with teachers and volunteers from the community.

Students studying for Community Sports Leader Awards will be helped and supported to develop their skills.

Pupils from seven schools - Charford, Dodford, Hanbury, Meadows, Millfields, Sidemoor and Stoke Prior - will benefit.

The project, which is funded for three years, will start in September.