Disappointment for Bognor youngsters as activity week places fill quickly

The five days of fun and learning for ten to 15-year-olds proved so popular its 60 places were filled weeks before it opens on Monday, August 10.

"Unfortunately, there have been a lot of disappointed people," one of the organisers, police community support officer Jan Williams, said.

"I have had to turn down 20 young people and I would guess about 100 have probably been turned away in all.

"That shows the demand for an event like this. It's a shame, but we just can't make the week any bigger.

"As it is, we've increased the number taking part from the 60 we originally intended to about 70 to help to meet some of the demand."

The week follows on from last year's initial event held by PCSO Williams and her colleague, Julie Jones.

The venue will be the same, with the 39 Club off Glamis Street as the base.

Sergeant Danny West, of the town's police station, said: "The aim is to provide an opportunity for local kids to get involved in the activities and divert them away from any anti-social behaviour which, unfortunately, can rise during the long holiday period."

The fun on offer includes football, cooking, photography, birds of prey displays, DJ mixing, snooker, rounders, T-shirt printing and film-making.

A birds of prey display and bug collecting will take place in Hotham Park.

A talent contest on the last afternoon will provide a chance for the newly-learned skills to be shown off.

The week is being funded by donations of 3,000.

Just over half the money '“ 1,700 '“ came from a fund set up by former town mayor Pat Stinchcombe for a children's playscheme.

The rest has been donated by a variety of sources.

A host of companies has also donated prizes of days out and vouchers to add to the week's expected success.

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