YOUNGSTERS can look forward to a bumper year of sports activities after a £100,000 National Lottery windfall.

The initiative known as Active Sports is a five-year programme aimed at children in Hartlepool who want to improve their sporting ability.

The programme starts with a Coca-Cola netball skills award day for girls aged 11 to 13.

It takes place next Wednesday at Henry Smith School, from 10am to 3.30pm. A similar day will be held at Rossmere Youth Centre, on April 20, from 9am to 3pm.

Children who get a taste for the sport can then go on a ten-week coaching course, held on Wednesdays, from 3.45pm to 5.45pm, at Henry Smith School.

Two ten-week tennis coaching courses will be held at tennis clubs in the town.

Boys and girls aged seven to nine can attend Eldon Grove Tennis Club, each Thursday from 4pm to 5.30pm, from April 26. Children aged ten to 13 can attend Hartlepool Tennis Club each Saturday, from 11.15am to 1.15pm, starting April 28.

For basketball fans, two courses for 11 to 14-year-olds will be held in the town's Mill House Leisure Centre, starting from Monday, April 23.

For further details about courses, ring (01429) 284050.