CHILDREN are to be treated to a helicopter ride along Blackpool's Golden Mile this summer -- as part of a project to assess the effect of proposed casino sites on the resort.

Bispham High School has earmarked 35 children to take part in the aerial survey. The selected 11-year-olds have all been labelled by the Bispham Road school as potential leaders of commerce and industry.

Following the trip the children will be asked their views on whether they think the casinos will either help regenerate the resort or harm it.

They will also be given the chance to speak with council chiefs and the people behind the planned scheme, when they submit their findings at a special meeting on August 1.

The aerial exercise is part of a two-week summer school that has been organised for gifted and talented youngsters by Bispham High School. All the children will become pupils at the school in September.

Deputy head John Topping explained how the initiative had come about: "We have previously run two summer schools and we always choose the most relevant and topical issue at the time. This year it had to be the casino debate.

"The children have already been busy gathering history and information on the debate of casinos in Blackpool and are looking forward to the helicopter flight."

Coun Roy Lewis, head of tourism and regeneration for the resort said: "I think it is a very good idea and it is important that the children of Blackpool -- who are in effect the future guardians of Blackpool -- are learning and taking part in what will be the future for the resort."

Six separate groups of children will fly from Blackpool Airport in a six-seat Bell helicopter belonging to Pennine Helicopters and for many it will be their first trip aboard a helicopter.