WEEKEND activities for young people in Callington are about to take on a new momentum with the launch of the Friday Night Project, which has been kick started with a lottery grant of almost £10,000.

The project, for 12 to 17-year-olds, will operate from Callington Town Hall and combine music, dance, performing arts and other creative opportunities in a safe and secure environment.

Pioneers of the project CATS (Community Action Through Sport) have been working with Callington Town Council and other organisations over the last 12 months to deliver an initiative that has been requested by the young people themselves.

Vice-chair of Callington and Saltash CATS Michelle Roberts said: 'Over the last two years, organisations that work with young people have recognised that Callington needs to provide positive activities to help avoid anti-social behaviour in and around the town.

'We have also had many requests from young people and this project has been fully supported by the town council, police and the youth service.'

The project will start on Friday, October 22 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm with performances by local bands and dance groups. Tickets, priced at £3, will be available from Callington Youth Centre and Callington College.

In January a community youth café will be opened on two Fridays during the month and an arts-based entertainment event will also be run once a month.

Michelle said that as the project developed it was hoped the youngsters would be increasingly involved in the planning and organising of the activities and it would eventually become self-sustaining.

'The café will give young people an opportunity to become involved in local projects, including fundraising and improving the local environment and it will promote volunteering for organisations and support for the local community,' she added.

'We are delighted with the support from the Big Lottery which is helping to get the project up and running.'

The CATS charity has been operating a volunteering scheme over the last three years whereby students from Callington College are presented with sports-based rewards for helping with community initiatives. It has also run football sessions to get youngsters off the streets.