THE ACTIVE Sports programme in Cumbria - funded by £865,613 of Sport England lottery funding - was launched in South Lakeland at the Lakes School last Wednesday.

Ten sports are targeted by the new national five-year programme, which aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 16 who have tried sport and want to improve their performance.

In phase 1, Cumbria will be concentrating on cricket, hockey, rugby union and tennis.

Each sport involved creates a county action group to develop the plan and identify gaps in provision across the county.

The award will also help to raise standards in voluntary sports clubs, coaching and volunteering, while in addition tackling child protection issues.

ICIS Clubwear of Aspatria are sponsoring the programme to the tune of 40k over the next five years to provide uniforms for coaches and tee-shirts for young people competing at the County Youth Games.

The South Lakeland launch was attended representatives of the Cumbria Sport Programme, South Lakeland District Council and sports organisations involved.

A sports afternoon for local primary schools took place at the Lakes School later in the afternoon.