A FESTIVAL of sport in St Helens has been given a massive boost.

Store giants Safeway have given £5,000 towards the cost of hosting the Merseyside Youth Games and their contribution will be matched by the government-backed Sportsmatch organisation.

The games take place on July 8 and 9 and venues for the wide range of events include Sutton Leisure Centre, Sutton Cricket Club and Selwyn Jones Sports Centre.

The manager of Safeway's St Helens store, Graham Sutherland, said: "As part of the local community we are delighted to support an event which is such a positive and worthwhile activity".

St Helens Leisure Committee chairman Keith Deakin, added: "I am extremely proud that St Helens will be hosting the 2000 games. It will mean thousands of children, relatives and organisers coming to the town from all across the area.

"The sponsorship we have received from Safeway and Sportsmatch will ensure a quality sports programme and I am sure it will be a success."

Part of the sponsorship will fund a healthy lifestyle information booklet for each child.

In the build-up to the games, St Helens Recreation office is running a poster competition for local schools. Information from Dermot Heslop on 01744 455445.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.