JOYRIDERS would benefit from being taken to go-karting sessions, the deputy leader of Bolton Council said on Thursday.

Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Hayes welcomed the controversial plans outlined at his party's annual conference.

He also backed proposals to send car thieves on mechanics courses in a bid to stop them re-offending.

The party's home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten, speaking at the Bournemouth conference, said joyriders would be put off stealing more cars if they had something to look forward to.

But the Tories vowed to oppose any moves by the Lib Dems to introduce the scheme in Bolton.

Cllr Hayes insisted the plan was not soft on criminals, but a proven way to stop them re-offending. The move could have a significant impact on crime in Bolton, he said.

"You would obviously have to carefully select which people would benefit from this but giving people activities relevant to their crime has been shown to work," said Cllr Hayes.

"I think there is a place for this sort of scheme in Bolton and people could benefit from such opportunities.

"The Conservatives will accuse us of being soft on crime, but they just want to throw everyone in jail however minor their offence."

Tory whip Cllr Andy Morgan accused Cllr Hayes of wanting to reward criminals.

He said: "Never mind sending them racing, we should be enforcing anti-social behaviour orders on criminals and, if that doesn't work, sending people to prison.

"My kids would love to go go-karting, but I don't want them to go stealing cars in order to do it."

Cllr Linda Thomas, deputy Labour leader, said: "We are trying to come up with more imaginative ways of helping disaffected children, but this would seem a bit over the top.

"We should try and help people before they get into trouble."