THIRTY schoolchildren in Hyndburn's four most deprived wards are to benefit from a multi-activity week organised by local police.

The teenagers, who live in the Spring Hill, Central, Barnfield and Church wards, have been chosen by community beat managers and community wardens in recognition of their good behaviour.

PC Steve Cox, who is coordinating the activities, said the youngsters were from a mix of cultural backgrounds and one of the reasons they were chosen was because they had not been involved in juvenile nuisance problems common to their neighbourhoods.

Police last week said organised activities in Spring Hill would be scrapped until youths showed they could behave themselves.

PC Steve Cox said the ban related to long-term activities for all youths in Spring Hill.

Next week's activities will take place during the half-term break and are geared at specific children.

Youngsters chosen for the scheme will take part in swimming, mountain biking and skiing, as part of a multi-activity programme arranged by police officers from the Minorities Team at Accrington.

The three-day scheme, funded by Hyndburn Neighbourhood Renewal Community Voice, is aimed at encouraging team-building skills and cooperation.

Activities will include indoor hockey, basketball, trampolining, swimming and mountain biking in Rivington, and skiing at Rossendale Ski Centre.

PC Cox has been involved in organising similar activities before and says there are many benefits.

He said: "It really is about recognising good behaviour and giving kids something to do during the school holidays, when incidences of juvenile nuisance tend to increase.

"These youngsters have already shown they can behave and we are going to give them the chance to do things they wouldn't normally be able to." PC Cox said the scheme was also about encouraging the children to work together in teams.

"Sport is an excellent way to bring children from all social and cultural backgrounds together to interact and work as a team.

"As well as being good fun, events like this remove barriers and prejudices at an early age," he added.

The scheme will run from next Monday to Wednesday.