A SCHOOL in one of Preston's most deprived areas is to open up its playground at night in an effort to keep local children off the streets.

St Matthew's CofE Primary School, New Hall Lane, Ribleton, was considered the perfect location for a new after-school club for youngsters in and around the area.

It comes as a welcome boost for people in the area where, according to the town's council, crime statistics for the number of burglaries per household are among the highest in Lancashire.

Now it is hoped local children will be given the chance to escape from crime by taking part in sport and art activities.

The new scheme should also provide somewhere safe for children to play, along with special staff to keep an eye out for trouble-makers.

Roger Small, headteacher of St Matthew's, said: "We are quite excited that we are opening up our facilities for children to do something safe.

"They are on the streets and getting involved in minor crime. It will mean they have somewhere to go."

Funding for the scheme has come from the Lancashire Children's Fund, part of a nation-wide scheme to cut down on child-poverty and deprivation. The fund has given the go ahead for a budget of nearly £80,000, to help the school cover the cost of everything for the club from advertising to extra staff.

Mr Small said: "What the money is going towards is to provide some lighting to open up the playgrounds and an overseer.

"Someone will be there to oversee and monitor the children. Make sure that people who are not supposed to be there are not there, and provide a safe environment for play."

The scheme should be up and running in a few months, and will be open to children aged between six and 12 years, from 6pm to 9pm, Monday to Friday, and for around three hours a day at the weekend.