YOUNGSTERS in Whitefield can kick off Christmas with a sporting gift from Bury Council.

A new ball zone was officially opened on Tuesday (Dec 23), just in time for the festive holidays.

The facility in Thatch Leach Lane is just five minutes walk from the Shuttle Centre and is ideally placed for young people living on Hillock and Victoria estates.

It will provide a designated space for youngsters to play football, netball and basketball and is the fourth ball zone to be launched in Whitefield.

Costing £45,000, the ball zone has been jointly funded by Bury Council and Rivers Housing Association.

The official launch will take place at 2pm by the deputy Mayor of Bury, Coun John Smith, and it will be put to good use immediately as the facility will host a local "World Cup Competition".

The competition is the culmination of a soccer camp which runs at the Shuttle Centre on Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23 from 10am to 3pm.

Participants of the camp, aged from 10 to 16, will receive football coaching and fitness training.

Youngsters will also receive a Christmas present, certificate and medal which will be presented to them by Coun Smith after the ball zone opening.

Whitefield's other three ball zones are located at Whitefield Park, in Stanley Road, Hathaway Road and Besses Park.