A WHOLE spectrum of sports was on the programme for young people at a special event in Blackburn.

"Sport in the Park," organised by Groundwork Youthworks, proved to be a premier event with football, cricket, rugby and kick-boxing being just some of the many of the activities on offer.

Mill Hill Park was the venue for this first event and dozens of youngsters turned up to try their hands -- and feet -- at various sporting activities.

Youthworks officer at Mill Hill Jane Friend said: "More people than we could ever have imagined turned up for the event.

"Everyone seemed to have a fantastic time trying new sports and we are hoping to secure funding again to repeat the event next year."

The main sponsor for the event was a group called Positive Futures which is a Government body looking to help young people keep on the straight and narrow.

National co-ordinator for Positive Futures, Mr Alan Jones, travelled up from London to attend the Sport in the Park event.

He said: "We are absolutely delighted that the event was such a huge success."

Additional support for the event came from Blackburn with Darwen Council and the anti-drugs initiative LIFELINE.

Picture: Kerry Cook, 14, gets the low-down on ice hockey from Robbie Smith, of the Blackburn Hawks, in Mill Hill Park.