A DURSLEY-BASED community organisation has received support from the council to run a selection of summer holiday activity programmes for children and families.

World Jungle is delighted to have been given backing by Gloucestershire County Council to run the programmes in Bourton and North Leach, Tetbury and South Cerney.

The three week-long outings will include a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, culminating in a children’s festival bringing youngsters together from across the county.

World Jungle’s Ben Ward said: “We are really excited to have the opportunity to run these three programmes which build on the successful schemes we have run for Cotswold District Council over the past few summers.

“The activities taking place throughout each week will include a range of things to suit all tastes, including circus skills, sports and games, dance competitions, African drumming, face painting, henna, and arts and crafts.

“We want to inspire kids to get active, learn about healthy behaviours, try new things - and of course have lots of fun over the summer holidays.”

The funding was made available under the Children’s Activity Fund, a new grant scheme from the council encouraging more sport and physical activity in the county.

Three activity programmes run by World Jungle will be funded under this scheme, each with the backing of the local councillor for each area: Cllr Shaun Parsons, of South Cerney division, Cllr Tony Hicks of Tebury division and Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, of Bourton and Northleach division.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, said: “I am really pleased to be able to support this project which will hopefully benefit many children and their families across our county.

“Our underlying aim is to promote the physical and emotional health of children. The events will take place in the heart of our communities, encouraging people to make more use of our local green, public and community spaces too. We are looking forward to a great summer ahead.”

For more information please contact Ben Ward from World Jungle on 07889 512644 or email ben@worldjungle.org.uk. Alternatively, you can visit www.worldjungle.org.uk.