A SEVEN-week festival packed full of free activities to keep children and young people occupied throughout the school holidays has begun in Southampton.

The SO16 Festival is the first time such an ambitious programme of free, summer activities has been staged in the west of the city.

There will be a wide range of events for young people aged from five to 24, including football, dance, cricket, rugby, bowling, DJ'ing, cheerleading, arts and crafts, a mini circus, It's a Knockout style tournaments and even an ice rink.

A number of different activities will run every day until the school term starts in September.

The SO16 Festival takes place at a range of different venues in Millbrook, Redbridge, Coxford, Maybush and Shirley Warren to enable as many children as possible to join in the fun.

It has been organised by Marie Draper, the youth co-ordinator for the Outer Shirley Regeneration Programme, using cash from The Local Network fund and the police authority.

Marie says she set up the summer programme after many young people complained there was nothing for them to do during the six-week school break.

She said: "Children and young people have been moaning for ages that they are bored, and unfortunately boredom often leads to juvenile nuisance. Outer Shirley has a high rate of antisocial behaviour linked to young people, so I decided to provide something fun and more constructive to do this summer."

The highlights of the festival includes the ice rink on Mansel Park on August 15 and a Fun Day at the park on August 29.

For more details contact 023 8091 5426.

TODAY:

5-7pm. American football, Five Acres, Lordshill.

6-8pm. Rugby, Test Park playing fields, Millbrook.

5.30-7.30pm. Planning for film-making, St Jude's Centre, in Warren Avenue.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28:

10am-12pm. Cheerleading, St Jude's Centre, Warren Avenue.

1-4pm. Art and community mural, St Jude's Centre.

10am-3pm. Saints coaching, Five Acres, Lordshill.

2-4pm. Cheerleading, All Saints hall, in Sedburgh Road.

THURSDAY JULY 29:

10am-12pm. Rugby, in Olive Road, Coxford.

1-4pm. Art and community mural, Five Acres, Lordshill.

10am-3pm. Saints coaching, The Wharf, Old Redbridge.

4-5.30pm. Sports coaching, the Cage, in Irving Road.

6.30-8pm. Cricket, Green Park, Millbrook.

5.30-7.30pm. Film-making, St Jude's Centre.