HUNDREDS of youngsters across the borough have been taking advantage of one of the country's biggest summer activity calenders.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has laid on hundreds of activities for children -- and most of them are free.

Children need a council Beez card and more than 13,000 cards have already been issued or renewed free for this year.

Turnout for the first week of the scheme filled many of the activities to capacity.

Venues across the borough, including community centres, libraries, leisure centres and Blackburn museum, have been enlisted as venues for the six-week break.

The best turnouts have been for free swimming sessions available for Beez card holders aged eight to 16 at four of the borough's pools.

The council's recreation and play services department is running daily cycling, as well as regular climbing activities and a weekly orienteering trip. Gorge walking is also on the itinerary for the coming weeks.

The countrywide services department is also offering a number of activities running at some of the borough's beauty spots.

A list of the activities on offer is available in the Off for Fun brochure, available by calling the summer activities hotline on 01254 708080.