A £150,000 sports and education scheme is to kick-off in Harwich and Clacton.
The Government cash has been given to the Colchester United Community Sports Trust and will be used in east Harwich and west Clacton.
Starting as early as next month, it will provide sports and educational opportunities for the youngsters over the next three years.
And more money could still be in the pipeline, as a bid for £60,000 has been made to the Tendring Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and the East of England Community Safety Fund.
Steve Bradshaw, chief executive of the Colchester United Sports Trust, said all the programmes would include an element of health awareness, such as drugs education.
He said: "It is not just football, but also educational issues of illicit drugs and how alcohol and smoking can impede sporting performance."
He said he felt that problems with nuisance behaviour and petty crime were caused by youths not having an alternative and added: "We are going to offer a positive alternative to hanging about in the street."
Clacton's events will be based at the Coppins Hall community centre. The details for Harwich are still to be confirmed.
Published Friday, June 6, 2003
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