A CHALLENGING out-of-school activity programme in Bury has earned regional recognition.

BRAG -- the Bury and Rochdale Active Generation project -- run by Bury Council, Rochdale Council and the local Primary Care Trust, has become a North West Sports Board award winner.

The scheme this year got more than 300 young people aged 11-16 involved in activities to do with health, sport, arts, environment, and jobs and training.

Young people were provided with a free bus pass which allowed travel to and from activity centres across Bury and Rochdale.

Bury Metro Youth Sport Development Officer, James Perkin, said: "BRAG this year allowed hundreds of young people the chance to try out a whole range of events and activities. These included water skiing, a visit to a Chinese arts centre, climbing, African drumming, dancing, multi-activity fun days, canoeing, sailing, a range of health promotions, together with ice-skating and trips to the Manchester Velodrome. Hopefully, that taste of trying something new will help open up other possibilities."