YOUNG people in Burnley could have a better future if a multi-million pound scheme goes ahead

It could result in more job opportunities and better training for hundreds of youngsters.

Money could also be ploughed into providing them with more to do in their leisure hours, in an initiative to keep young people from moving away.

Councillors were shocked when a major survey revealed most residents believed there was a bleak future in store for the youth of Burnley. Tonight they are set to respond by giving the go-ahead for a bid to the Government's Challenge Fund, to address measures they believe need to be taken to provide more opportunities for youth and encourage people to stay in the town.

Although Burnley will have to compete with scores of other local authorities for a slice of the cash jackpot, officers say a borough-wide project based on helping young people would potentially be "a very strong package".

The aim would be to link with other agencies to raise educational achievement, provide more training and offer greater employment opportunities. Leisure, housing and health issues will also be targeted.

And the plan will also feature initiatives to keep young people out of drugs and crime.

Three years ago Burnley scooped £19.5 million in the Challenge Fund with a bid to encourage job opportunities, improve housing and bring about major improvements in the central areas of town.

That seven-year scheme is expected to attract £100 million linked-funding from the private sector and create hundreds of new jobs.

Subsequent bids, targeted on other aspects of improvement, have failed to catch the eye of the Department of the Environment.

And although there will be far less money on offer this year, town hall officers say a bid, covering the whole town and based on helping young people, is well worthwhile.

Labour leader Coun Kath Reade said the feeling that there was no future in Burnley for young people was the most depressing aspect of the survey of more than 1,100 people in the town.

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