Government to fund evening sport idea

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The minister said he wanted councils to end the "no ball games" culture in public spaces and give young people the chance to take part in more sports activities in their free time.

He promised £30 million to build new artificial pitches and install floodlights in sports colleges so games can take place in all weather conditions and at night.

Mr Balls said councils should consider adopting ideas like "midnight basketball", an evening sports scheme that started in the US to cut anti-social behaviour by young people.

Speaking at the Specialist Sports Colleges Conference in Telford, he said: "I'd ask all local authorities to look at the public sports facilities they already provide and make sure they are usable for as long as possible.

"If young people want to play sport after school we should encourage it - not lock the gates or turn off the lights.

"Of course, local authorities have to make sure places are safe and secure. But floodlights can make areas safe for use, and experience shows us that areas which have provided out of hours sporting opportunities have seen a fall in anti-social behaviour."

He promised £30 million over the next three years to improve poor quality playing fields by installing better draining or new surfaces.

The money - for the sports colleges with the most rundown facilities - will also buy floodlit artificial turf pitches and sports halls which will be available for community use.

Mr Balls said: "We have some great sports facilities in schools. But at this time of year some young people find their local pitches are unlit and waterlogged. Even if they do function the gates are locked at sundown."