It’s going to be a sizzling summer for young people in Hartlepool!

Swimming, drama workshops, canoeing, hair and beauty, dodgeball, arts and crafts, music and dance, gardening, cooking, movie days, road safety sessions, puppet making, story times, treasure hunts, chemistry and astronomy, football and cricket, a climbing wall, street dance, archery, bricklaying and joinery are just some of what’s in store – and most of the activities are free.

Children and young people will discover new hobbies and skills, make new friends and build their confidence - and they'll get tasty meals into the bargain.

It’s all part of Hartlepool Holiday Fun – a new project run by Hartlepool Borough Council in partnership with different organisations across the town - providing activities for children and young people over this year's main school holidays.

This in turn is part of a national Government-funded project called the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme. 

For details of the full Hartlepool programme of activities and to book places, visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/hartlepool-holiday-fun

Councillor Jim Lindridge, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “From toddlers to teenagers, it’s going to be a summer to remember for children and young people in Hartlepool as they enjoy the packed and varied programme of activities.

“As well as being lots of fun and keeping boredom at bay, it will spark new interests for them, broaden their horizons and help encourage their learning and development.

“Equally importantly, as part of the programme they’ll be able to tuck into some tasty food too, which means that children and young people in our most vulnerable families won’t go hungry over the school summer holidays.”