THERE will be no shortage of holiday fun this summer for local youngsters with a free seven-week programme of exciting events launched.

Inverclyde Council has teamed up with other organisations to keep young people active throughout the school break.

The local authority has secured £201,000 from the Scottish Government, supported by council umbrella body Cosla, to deliver the programme.

Activities such as art workshops at the Watt Institution, rock-pooling with Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park rangers and free swimming and ice skating with Inverclyde Leisure will all be on the timetable.

Young people can also enjoy theatre workshops with the Beacon Arts Centre, comic book sessions with Magic Torch and football with Morton during the sessions, which start on Monday and run until August 13.

Depute council leader Jim Clocherty said: "We’ve all spent enough time cooped up at home and the last thing we want for our children and young people over the summer holidays is to be stuck inside and bored.

"The Summer of Fun 21 programme has something for all ages to enjoy while the schools are off, with activities that are entertaining, engaging and educational.

"This is on top of our usual school holiday hubs, both of which provide vital support for working families during the summer break.

"After so much doom and gloom in recent times, I’m delighted our young people have a summer of fun to look forward to."

Among those looking forward to the action-packed programme are the McLeod family - Lady Alice Primary pupils John, seven, and Calla, five, and their 12-year-old sister Charys, who attends Clydeview Academy.

The Summer of Fun 21 schedule will be in addition to the summer holiday hubs being offered at Clydeview Academy and Port Glasgow Community Campus.

The packed programme also includes ‘Sport 4 All’ camps at Clydeview Academy and Notre Dame High schools and ‘Come and Play’ sessions at Port Glasgow Community Campus aimed at pupils in the Port and Kilmacolm who are heading into secondary education after the summer.

Activities must be booked in advance and places can be reserved online at inverclyde.gov.uk/summerfun21 where the full programme of events is also available.