AN exciting new initiative is being rolled out across Somerset to help young people with disabilities experience the joys of playing cricket.

Super 1s, set up and funded by the Lord's Taverners, is a scheme aimed at young people aged between 12 and 25 with mild/moderate learning difficulties, or with a physical disability.

The sessions are fun, played with a softer ball and will teach the basics of cricket as well as improving social and lifelong learning skills.

Steve Gass, growth and participation officer at the Somerset Cricket Board, said: "For many young people with disabilities throughout the UK, opportunities to take part in regular competitive sport can be extremely limited.

"Somerset Cricket Board are launching four Super 1 sessions in Bath, Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil, with a further two more planned.

"We hope that by offering these opportunities, we will engage lots of young people in cricket, who may not have had the chance to experience this wonderful game."

The Taunton sessions begin this Wednesday (January 23) at the Taunton site of Bridgwater & Taunton College (TA1 5AX), with a start time of 6pm.

The sessions run weekly during term time and are free to attend, with all equipment provided and sessions run by qualified coaches.

The Sedgemoor sessions begin at Robert Blake & Elmwood Leisure Centre, Bridgwater at 6pm on Monday, January 28 and will also run weekly during term time.

For those in South Somerset, sessions are being run every Thursday (6-7pm) at 1610 Preston Sports Centre in Yeovil, starting on January 31.

And starting on January 30, Super 1s will take place every Wednesday at Threeways School, Bath.