THE future for sports development in Worcestershire is looking bright as the Worcestershire All Sports Partnership have been awarded a lottery grant of more than £55,000 in support of the first year of the county's Active Sports Programme.

Active Sports is a five-year national programme supported by the Sport England Lottery Fund.

It aims to help young people improve their skills and abilities and get more involved in organised sport.

It has been designed to ensure that any young person with the desire or ability to participate in sport has the opportunity to do so at an appropriate level.

Active Sports will involve local sports clubs, local authorities, education services, schools and governing bodies of sport, all working in partnership to give young people local opportunities for participation, competition and skills improvement.

WASP is dedicated to ensuring Active Sports is available to all youngsters in the relevant age group and of all backgrounds and abilities.

The funding for the first year of Active Sports in Worcestershire has already been allocated for coaching schemes, club development projects, talent identification programmes, coach development and education, volunteer support and promotion via comprehensive development plans.

Plans for the next five years will be developed in conjunction with those at the heart of sports development in our county.

The official launch of the Worcestershire Active Sports programme will take place on Sunday, May 20 at 4pm, during the closing ceremony of the county Youth Games at Droitwich Leisure Centre.

A swarm of 400 WASP helium filled balloons will be launched for the start of the great WASP balloon race.

Tickets for the balloon race are just £1 per ticket, and the prize for the owner of the balloon travelling the furthest will be a hot air balloon trip for two.

Other prizes will also be on offer.

Trevor Brooking, Chair of Sport England said: "This award marks the start of an exciting time for sport and young people in Worcestershire.

"A lot of time and effort has gone into developing this Active Sports programme, and at Sport England we are working to increase the amount of sport young people can enjoy. "I would urge youngsters in Worcestershire to get involved in Active Sports and have a great time!"