YOUNG people in Burnley are being given an open invitation to take part in a free sports day to mark the local launch of Lancashire Young Sport Initiative.

More than 200 ten to 16 year-olds are expected by Burnley and Lancashire County Council to go along to the sports hall and master-turf at Towneley High School from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, May 31, to take part in about 20 different indoor and outside sports.

There will be sessions of basketball, pop lacrosse, roller hockey, netball, badminton, judo, tennis, bowls, squash, athletics, aerobics and cricket.

The youngsters can also choose dinghy sailing and wind-surfing with Rossendale Valley Sailing Club by taking a free minibus service to Clowbridge Reservoir. Or they can try out boccia, a chair-based version of petanque, the French game of bowls, designed specifically for disabled people.

Elaine Shallcross, Burnley's sports development officer, explained: "It is all about giving young people an opportunity to try out different sports and help them pursue their interest through training courses and local clubs.

"This launch provides ready-made sessions for young people to have a go and find out if any particular sport is the one for them.''

There will also be local club displays to provide more information with sports staff also on hand with more advice.

The day is completely free though young people are being asked to take along their own packed lunch.

registration will be at 9.30am before mass warm-up excercises start off the day.

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