FRIDAY is X-Zones night at Hindley featuring a host of youth activities including football, climbing, boxing and dance.

The weekly activities at Hindley Fire Station and Hindley Leisure Centre are organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust's Sport Development Unit.

Funded by national charity StreetGames and are part of the X-Zones project which provides activities for young people on Friday evenings in their own neighbourhoods.

Chris Essex-Crosby, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust community sports development manager, said: "We are delighted to continue our work with StreetGames to deliver new activities.

"Primarily it's about getting active and getting involved, but young people will also have the chance to learn about staying safe and the consequences of anti-social behaviour by speaking to firefighters and members of the Young People's Drug and Alcohol Team."

StreetGames Northwest Zone Manager Graham Helm said: "We want to strip back any barriers to sports participation, so we are happy to support projects like this, we know it will be great success."

Activities for young people aged 8 - 14 will now take place at Hindley Leisure Centre, while young people aged 14 and over can join in the fun at Hindley Fire Station.

All activities will take place on Fridays from 7.30 - 9pm and will cost 50p.

Homegrown talent Jenny Meadows was on hand at the first session on Friday to deliver some coaching.

She said: "This is how I got into running, by getting involved with events like this and doing running at school, so it's a pleasure to come along support a new generation of young people who could be our next athletics stars."

The events are supported by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, youth workers from Wigan Council's Voice and Engagement Team and the Restorative Solutions Team.

Smyths, Empire Cinema and Jenny Meadow's coach Trevor Painter also supported the new activities by providing prizes for young people getting involved in the activities.