A £740,000 scheme to keep teenagers out of trouble is to be launched in Burnley.

Council bosses last night gave the go-ahead for the creation of Teenzones -- outdoor areas to give youngsters something to do and cut down on complaints of street corner nuisance.

The fun areas will spring up in the Burnley Wood and Accrington Road area, supported mainly by Government Single Regeneration Budget cash.

The six-year project will also attract council money and financial backing from the police, Groundwork and private firms.

The council led by Stuart Caddy agreed the policy of providing kids with something to do will help cut down on nuisance and vandalism in the community.

Young people will be invited to become closely involved in the project -- helping to plan, design and construct Teenzones which will include ball parks, 5-a-side soccer and skateboard, roller-blade and BMX biking equipment along with youth shelters.

The project will be co-ordinated by the council's parks service and priority areas will be partly based in districts where juvenile nuisance has been reported by police and the community, according to a report to Burnley council executive.

Most of the capital costs will be met by the Single Regeneration Budget for Burnley Wood and Accrington Road, with major cash help coming from the council, police, the Tudor Trust charity and private developers.

Local councillor Lilian Clark welcomed the go-ahead: "This is what the community asked for.

"A great deal of work has gone into planning areas for young people, which is a very necessary and worthwhile development."