Eastleigh'S Crestwood Community School is set to throw open its doors in a bid to give local youngsters something to beat boredom.

The school is working closely with Eastleigh council's youth service to develop a comprehensive programme of out-of-school-hours activities both for its pupils and other young people in the community.

The After-School Clubs programme is being spearheaded on the school's behalf by assistant community manager Jan Marsh and the aim is to provide a variety of opportunities in sport, art and drama, plus academic studies.

A bid has been made to the New Opportunities Fund for a grant to help with the staffing, start-up and running costs of the clubs, which Crestwood hope to have in place for the beginning of the 2003 autumn term.

Crestwood head teacher Phil Munday said: "This school is keen to promote the use of its facilities to provide opportunities for young people to do worthwhile activities.

"We are committed to working with the local community to improve the provision of facilities for young people in the area."

He added: "The programme will also cater for activities to run during school holidays and the school has enlisted the help of Skill Quest to formulate this, drawing on their valuable experience as brokers between individuals, schools and business in order to enrich learning."

Ward borough councillor Chris Thomas commented: "Anything that improves facilities for young people has got to be a bonus for the area."