PARTS of Bolton could receive a share of £12 million earmarked for a new project designed to tackle youth crime.

The Summer Splash Scheme offers artistic and sporting activities for youngsters on deprived estates.

Funding for the scheme, run by the Youth Justice Board, will come from the National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund.

It is hoped the projects will offer youngsters constructive activities to keep them out of trouble this summer. Projects will include video making, drama, photography and journalism.

Over 360 estates are set to benefit -- including areas across Greater Manchester, identified recently as a youth-crime hotspot.

And this year's extra funding will enable the project to cater for nine-to-12-year-olds for the first time. More than 48,000 youngsters in total are set to benefit for the scheme.

Announcing the extra funding, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said burglary levels had been reduced on estates which took part in the scheme last year.

She added: "Engaging youngsters in sport or the arts can give them the tools they need to make a success of their lives and keep them away from crime."