A NEW £1.8m government funded scheme to help disadvantaged youngsters carve a future in sports has been launched in Dudley.

The Sports Pathways Programme will use sport and leisure to tackle problems of inequality and social inclusion.

Football training, junior sports leadership skills and dance are some of the opportunities offered by the Advantage West Midlands funded programme.

It will target hard-to-reach groups in deprived communities and encourage youngsters to consider a career in leisure.

Chief Executive of the Arc of Opportunity Ged Bowles said: "This is exactly the sort of project, which engages people who may otherwise remain disillusioned.

"It offers them the opportunity to develop their skills and access employment in careers, which are of real interest to them.

"It's success if clearly demonstrated by the results being achieved."