Scores of young people in Blackbird Leys will be able to enjoy drama, cookery and art sessions after a summer scheme was granted funding.

The Leys Community Development Initiative has been running its month-long summer holiday project for 10 years, offering youngsters aged nine and upwards the chance to enjoy a range of activities during school holidays.

The charity has just been awarded £3,000 by Oxford City Council's south east area committee towards running this year's project.

Activities on offer include a drama project with Creation Theatre Company, music technology, an IT forum, dance sessions led by a professional dancer, cookery with the East Oxford Healthy Living Initiative and a video project.

Penny Wood, of the LCDI, said they were delighted to receive the money.

She said: "It's enormously helpful. The sum we need to raise for the scheme is £25,000 and every bit of funding we can get helps.

"There isn't that much for young people to do in most communities really and I think having organised varied activities means there's something to attract most people.

"I think by and large young people do want to put their energies somewhere and if they have the opportunity to do that they will respond positively."

City councillor Lee Cole, who represents Blackbird Leys, said the committee was pleased to allocate the funding.

He added: "It's a worthwhile cause they provide much-needed recreational facilities.

"To deny them the funding would have been to deny the children of Blackbird Leys something to do in the summer holidays."

The project, which last year attracted about 50 youngsters each day, aims to bring young people together, offer new experiences and opportunities at an affordable price and promote a positive image of Blackbird Leys.

The scheme will run throughout August for about six hours each day and costs 50p per half-day session. It will be run mainly from Blackbird Leys Youth and Community Centre, where the LCDI is based, but some activities will take place in other areas around the estate.

For more information, call LCDI youth project manager Bethan Knowles on 01865 395927.