CHILDREN in Medway could be given cycle tracks, skateboard parks and hangout shelters as part of a new youth initiative. The sum of £100,000 has been put in the budget for youth services to provide entertainment for children in the area.

A proposal for a motorcycle centre and kickstart-style obstacle course at Elm Park in Bredhurst, near Gillingham, is the biggest scheme planned.

But Cllr Les Wicks, leisure chief in Medway Council's cabinet, also wants to see a number of skateboard ramps, basketball hoops, football walls and cycle speedway tracks in different communities.

He said: "We want to involve the disengaged children and give them something better to do than stand around on street corners. This is quite a substantial sum and we plan to make the most of it.

"We want to involve the disengaged young people that think life does not offer them very much. Whether they decide to take advantage of the opportunities we will offer them is in their hands. But I would hope they would."

Cllr Wicks is still finalising details on how to spend the £100,000 in the coming financial year and the youth service is still interested in hearing anyone's ideas. They can be contacted on 01634 306000.