IF YOU want to develop sport or leisure activities in your local community, help is now at hand thanks to a new partnership scheme in Devon.

The Active Villages scheme aims to support rural communities to develop sports, dance, fitness, cycling, walking, extreme sports and other activities. The scheme organisers are keen to hear from anyone who wishes to start up such activities.

Help is available to help communities kick-start new sessions, promote existing activities, gain training, fund equipment, and break down barriers in participation.

The scheme has already been delivering multi-skill and multi-sport sessions for children in Hatherleigh and Lifton.

Other activities are already planned, including a range of sports at a local youth club, an adults' social netball evening, and improving access to water sports for people from Lifton.

In 2011, phase one of the scheme will take in Chagford, North Tawton, Lamerton and Dartmoor Forest.

An OCRA spokesperson said: 'This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy a wide range of fun sports and activities with family and friends in your own community.'

The scheme is co-ordinated by Active Devon and delivered by West Devon Borough Council and Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA).

Funding is provided by Devon County Council and Sport England lottery funding, and the scheme will work with more than 150 parishes over three years.

Information for anyone interested in setting up activities in their community is available from the Active Villages website at http://www.activevillages.co.uk">www.activevillages.co.uk