Young people in Haydon Wick will have a chance to develop different skills over the summer.

The parish council is launching a youth programme with charity BEST – Be A Better You that will include non-contact boxing, mixed martial arts and team building exercises.

BEST works to help youths move away from gang culture in Swindon by providing intensive mentorship programmes in different physical activities. Operations manager Craig Hiscock said: "We recognise that children and young people have had a tough time during the COVID-19 pandemic and hope the activities will support the young people in building their confidence, get back out in the community, learn new skills, partake in physical exercise, and more importantly have fun and lots of laughs."

Community development committee chairman Ellen Baker Lee said: "We are aware that the pandemic has affected many of our young people and hope that this project will be welcomed.”

For more information and to book a free space, visit .haydonwick.gov.uk