A NEW 'vibrant, fun and affordable' project aimed at young people will kick off tomorrow (Friday) focusing on fitness and fun.

The 'Friday Night Fitness Zone' has been developed to give youngsters something fun to do on a Friday night at Tavistock Community Sports Centre and has been supported by the police and West Devon Borough Council.

A range of different sports will take place in fun style sessions so people can have a go and enjoy the social aspect. The sessions will be led by qualified coaches.

Manager of the sports centre Barry Mountstevens said: 'We used to offer just football to the young people. It worked quite successfully but when we tried to get more people involved, many did not want to do football but wanted to do some kind of fitness.

'So we thought about offering a bit more diversity and have added circuit training and kick boxing. It will be more of a fun session than a training session and young people of all abilities are welcome.'

Prices have been kept low so as many young people as possible from the ages of 11 to 16 can join in. Circuit training and football will cost just £1 and kick boxing £2.

Circuit training will take place from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and football or kick boxing will be from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Leader of West Devon Borough Council James McInnes said: 'It's so important for our community to work together to provide young people with safe and enjoyable activities in their spare time.

'Our young people have told us that they would like a place where they can meet their friends and keep fit, so Friday Night Fitness Zone has been developed for them.'

Hannah Colston, the borough council's leisure and recreation officer said: 'The Leisure Youth Nights have proven to be a real success in the South Hams area with more than 160 young people regularly taking part.

'We want to mirror this in Tavistock and create a vibrant, fun and affordable evening for the young people who are out and about on Friday nights.

'We're working hard to engage the right partners, including the Youth Service and Tavistock College, and also submitting several grant applications for external funding so that hopefully we can include street dance, DJ workshops and basketball in the new year.

An application for £2,000 has gone into Devon County Council from Tavistock member Debo Sellis and a bid for £6,000 is going into the Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund.

To find out more about the Friday Night Fitness Zone contact Tavistock Community Sports Centre on 01822 813238.