MORE than 5,000 children are set to benefit from a lottery-funded scheme designed to promote cultural harmony among young people.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's education and lifelong learning department has won £170,910 to help supported a programme of activities aimed at getting socially-excluded children more involved in local activities.

The money has come from the New Opportunities' Fund, which allocates some of the money raised by National Lottery ticket sales, and will spread out on projects across Blackburn with Darwen.

Katherine Hardman, the partnership development manager at Blackburn with Darwen, said today: "The programme includes many different types of activity ranging from tag rugby, cricket and athletics, to outdoor activities such as dry-slop skiing, archery and canal trips.

"Activities are also planned within primary schools, like judo and walking buses, which encourage children to walk along a set route to school together and accompanied.

"We hope there will be something for everyone, even children who have not enjoyed sport before."

The project aims to improve poor attendance records and raise achievement. Particular emphasis will be placed of helping girls from ethnic minority groups and those who are not currently taking part in sport.

More than 5,000 children and young people will be involved.