BLACKPOOL teenagers have enjoyed wall-to-wall fun during a boredom-breaking summer scheme.
Organisers of the Summer Splash project, providing free holiday activities for 13 to17-year-olds in the Talbot and Brunswick areas, said that more than 200 youngsters have been involved with the scheme, and many are leaving a lasting legacy in the form of a mural.
The teenagers have created their 60ft by 7ft high masterpiece in Elizabeth Street, Blackpool, on a wall previously covered in graffiti.
A spokesman for Blackpool Borough Council, a main supporter of the scheme, said: "The wall was an ugly reminder of the more negative side of youth until Summer Splash began in the middle of July.
"But it has now been cleaned up and is in the process of being painted over by young people and artists working together. It is scheduled to be finished by the time the holidays are over at the end of this month."
Scheme co-ordinator Sue Hunter said the teenagers are a mixture of those already attending Blackpool Boys and Girls Club -- where the scheme is based -- and youngsters referred by Blackpool's Youth Offending Team.
She said: "The aim was to get 100 young people through but there's already more than 200 people on the books. I'll never turn anyone down."
As well as creating the mural, teenagers have taken part in a wide range of activities including climbing, canoeing, abseiling, dancing, golf, badminton, basketball and sub aqua diving. She said crabbing at St Annes and Fleetwood was also a very popular activity.
"They will all be receiving certificates for the things they have done," she added.
And scheme members will also be paintballing and visiting Camelot next week, as well as enjoying a final party evening, including dancing and DJ-ing, on Wednesday at Talbot Club, Buchanan Street.
Summer Splash has been funded by the Youth Justice Board, Blackpool Challenge Partnership and Blackpool Community Safety Partnership, following the success of a similar scheme run last year at the youth and community centre on Blackpool's Mereside estate.
Other support has come from various Blackpool Council services, including the Blackpool Youth Offending Team and Leisure Services, with support from arts development, the Millennium Volunteers and the Youth and Community Service.
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