DOZENS of school leavers will have the chance to try activities from fishing to abseiling, music to drama, as part of the Fast Forward summer activities programme.

A partnership forged last year has successfully applied for New Opportunities Fund money to fund personal development courses during the next three years.

The range of residential and non-residential courses covers art and drama, storytelling, fshing, sailing, music, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, IT, song composition, performing and recording studio experience.

Brathay Hall Trust, based at Ambleside, will manage Fast Forward on behalf of the partnership, ensuring 236 school leavers across Cumbria get to take part in courses and activities this summer.

The partnership involves Brathay Hall Trust, Connexions Cumbria, Cumbria LEA, Me2 with Cumbria Outdoors, Cumbria Youth Alliance, the Outward Bound Trust, Lakeside YMCA National Centre, Welfare State International and Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project.