A host of summer fun for children has been organised by Bradford Council's Community Recreation Unit to relieve the boredom of the six-week holidays.

More than 100 playschemes are taking place across the district from Monday until Friday, August 31.

The Bradford Holiday Play and Activity Schemes are co-ordinated by the Community Recreation Unit in partnership with the Youth Service, Housing and Environment Protection, West Yorkshire Police, the Newlands Single Regeneration Budget and the Department of Arts, Heritage and Leisure who help fund the schemes.

The scheme offers a wide range of social, cultural, educational, and constructive activities. Many of are based around themes such as healthy living and protecting the environment.

But Play Development officer Carl Dalton is keen to stress fun remains at the top of the agenda.

"The schemes are all about play. We want the kids to express themselves," said Mr Dalton. "It is a real chance for them to express themselves out of the school environment and to do something positive over the summer holidays.

"The summer schemes have been running for more than 20 years. In fact Bradford has got the biggest playscheme operation in the country with 110 schemes.

"The Council co-ordinates the whole programme by registering the schemes and providing equipment. We want the different projects to really try to get youngsters to play together in teams, with everyone working together but with no competitive edge. We want everyone to have a turn."

Many of the individual schemes are run by volunteers or part-time employees who sacrifice many hours to provide the staff needed to run the many activities.

Mr Dalton said: "We have also organised three trips where kids from all the different groups can come together. These are to Flamingo Land on August 2, Lightwater valley on August 9 and Blackpool on August 16."

To book a place on an individual scheme or to find out about the types of activities on offer, contact the individual scheme's leader.

For further information about the Bradford Holiday and Activity Scheme contact Carl Dalton in the Council's Community Recreation Unit on (01274) 593234.