A CAMPAIGN has been launched to kick the borough into soccer action -- and tackle racism.

Leigh and Wigan have signed up to the national Kick Racism Out Of Football crusade which will run between August and November with events organised to encourage people to make new friends and break down barriers.

They are being organised by a winning team made up of council and sporting groups including Atherton's Laburnum Rovers.

The programme includes a five-a-side competition in Mesnes Park, Wigan, on August 22, open age community competitions at the JJB Soccer Dome and Howe Bridge Sports Centre, a schools tournament for all primary and secondary schools, a half time presentation at Wigan Athletic, an exhibition "The National History of Black Footballers" at Leigh's Turnpike Gallery and a celebration at Wigan Town Hall.

Wigan's Leisure and Culture Trust community regeneration manager John Hesketh said: "We are hoping to build on the success we found at the first event last year. We want people to come together and enjoy sport while getting to know more about other people and their cultural backgrounds.

"The eventual aim is to set up a year round multi-cultural league in the borough."

Mayor Cllr John Hilton said: "We have a proud tradition of sporting excellence and we are famous for our friendliness and sense of fair play. There's no place for racism in sport and no place for it in Leigh and Wigan, which is why we know the event will be a great success."