THE second phase of the Devon Active Villages programme, which incorporates Lamerton, North Tawton and Chagford, has kicked off following the successes of the scheme in its pilot phase.

Devon Active Villages is a development programme funded by Devon County Council, Sport England and Active Devon, which supports village communities in Devon to provide long-term, sustainable sports participation opportunities.

The programme is planned to last for three years from September 2010 to September 2013.

The initial pilot phase in Hatherleigh and Lifton has been completed.

Hatherleigh's involvement in the pilot phase included a weekly fun netball night for ladies with a range of abilities.

The evenings have more of a focus on fun and participation they do on competition. OCRA and the Hatherleigh Community Centre also held a free fun day of activities in April for children as part of the programme.

The next phase of the programme has begun, incorporating North Tawton and Chagford, as well as Lamerton and Dartmoor Forest.

Within each community a project officer identifies what opportunities each local community wants, and the programme provides financial and practical support to help set up these activities.

Active Villages will help sustain them into the longer term, and provide access to training programmes for volunteer coaches and helpers.

Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council is hopeful the scheme will encourage village residents to take up sports: 'Devon County Council has worked closely with Active Devon on the bid and will be contributing £360,000 to Devon Active Villages over a three-year period.

'Our villages often lack the opportunities available to those who live in our towns and cities.

'This programme will provide many more people with the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of sports and at the same time help improve levels of fitness.'

Matt Evans, head of development for Active Devon is happy with the number of people registering for the programme so far: 'Active Devon are extremely pleased that the response of local people to the opportunity to shape their sporting choices has been so positive and enthusiastic.

'Throughout Devon, nearly eight hundred participants have registered in the communities that have already been included so far.

'We look forward to many more getting involved as more communities are offered the chance to be part of the project in the forthcoming phases.'

For more information visit http://www.activevillages.co.uk">www.activevillages.co.uk or contact Hannah Coulston, sports development officer with West Devon Borough Council on 01822 813628.