YOUNG people in Leigh are enjoying new activities in the town centre as part of a borough wide project.

Partners from Wigan Council, the fire service, WLCT, the police and Wigan Athletic in the Community have banded together to run the spring season of a project called X Zones.

The plan is to run free sessions, offering young people something to do at the weekends and also someone to talk to, on Fridays and Saturdays.

The sessions’ staff can help link young people into other services if they need extra support. The X Zones project also aims to help reduce reports of nuisance and anti-social behaviour in different communities.

Cllr Jo Platt, cabinet member for children and young people’s services at Wigan Council, said: "The X Zones have proved to be really popular with young people in other areas of the borough so it’s great to be able to offer the project in the Leigh area now.

"We spoke to young people from different communities and asked them what events and activities they would like to take part in.

“The programme for the X Zones was based on this information, so we hope it really is what the young people want."

Activities vary at each session but can include archery, dance, sports, music, circus skills, arts and crafts.

Gracie-Mae Harrison, aged 13, from Leigh, said:

"I heard the X Zones were starting, so I came along and it’s been really good, definitely better than sitting outside hanging around.

“There are lots of things to do but even if you don’t join in it’s still nice to have somewhere warm to just sit and chat with people.”

In Leigh the X Zones run:

• In the town centre on Fridays, 4-6pm, and Saturdays 10am-1pm, in the shops underneath the town hall.

• At Westleigh High School on Fridays from 4pm until 6pm for school years seven and eight and from 6.30pm until 9pm for years nine, 10 and 11.

• At Westleigh Village Club, Westleigh Lane, on Saturdays from 11.30am until 1.30pm.

For more details contact Wigan Council on 01942 487978 or email restorativesolutions@wigan.gcsx.gov.uk.