A NEW community soccer project has been launched in a bid to kick racism out of football,

The football festival, entitled Harmony, has been organised for mixed teams of white and Asian teenagers to break down barriers between different communities in the region.

Teenagers taking part will have the chance to win medals, trophies, cash prizes and meet professional players.

Sponsors of the event, gas pipeline company Transco, have made a cash donation of £2,750 from its community involvement fund to help it go ahead.

John Butterworth, director of Transco North West, said: "With recent tensions in some East Lancashire communities, this is a good time to help bring communities together and build good relationships between youngsters who might not otherwise meet and interact.

The event planned for May, will be sponsored by Transco and will be organised by the eastern division of Lancashire police with help from Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackburn Rovers.

Schools are invited to enter teams of 10 players from Year 7 for the event at Blackburn Rovers' training ground at Brockhall in the Ribble Valley.

For more information contact Jeanette Jackson on 01204 545297 or 07785 290230.