THE first day of the summer holiday seems like a dream come true for children.

Six long, blissful weeks of freedom stretch ahead into the sunny distance.

No early mornings, no nagging teachers, no homework.

The chance to catch Neigh-bours not once, but twice a day, and endless, uninterrupted hours of football practice in the local park pure heaven.

Observe the same children a week later, and they will inevitably be lying listless and bored on the sofa.

Neighbours is dull, the football's gone flat, and it is pouring with rain outside. The freedom thing is definitely overrated.

But with hundreds of organised events going on in and around the town, schoolchildren in Swindon are promised a break from the monotony this year.

Almost 700 youngsters will be turning their hands to origami and orienteering, fashion design and fencing, circus skills and sailing, as they descend on the Child-ren's University this month.

The CU, based at New College and funded by grants from Swindon Council and the Government's New Opportunities Fund, has been running since 1998, and offers a packed programme of activities not normally offered on the national curriculum.

Neil Harding, spokesman for the CU, said: "The response to this year's programme has been very positive applications were up by 20 per cent on last year, and the places are all filled.

"The lists of activities has been very well received, and word is obviously spreading."

Another 400 schoolchildren in the town will be taking part in Summer Challenge 2002 a local scheme, aimed specifically at Year 11 students who have left school, but as yet have made no firm commitment to college or a career.

Organised by Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire County Council, Trident and Lifetime Career Wiltshire, the two-month scheme offers career advice and hands-on experience in different fields, with the aim of encouraging the teenagers to consider their next step in life.

Participants can try their hands at childcare, police and ambulance work, beauty therapy, car maintenance, food hygiene, and more.

Nikki Green, co-ordinator of the programme, said: "We aim to give the youngsters a taster of the different opportunities around for them.

"With the help of the programme and our career advisor, we will be able to put them on the way towards college, an apprenticeship or a career."

But there are still plenty of activities for children who weren't lucky enough to get a place at the CU or the Summer Challenge.

The annual Splash scheme, run by Wiltshire Police, is in its 13th year and will be holding hundreds of events in Swindon, to liven up the long holidays.

The scheme, open to children aged 10-16, aims to provide opportunities for safe recreation activities including drama, dance, music and photography are on offer, as well as the usual sporting events.

Tracey Smith, Splash co-ordinator, said: "The idea behind Splash is to give young people something constructive to do during the long school summer holidays, instead of hanging around the streets getting bored or into trouble.

"Splash also gives young people the opportunity to try something new and meet new friends, while keeping them safe from harm.

"Keeping young people occupied relieves family tensions during this long difficult period, as well as helping to make our communities safer places."

Posters detailing the Splash events in Swindon are displayed around the town, in libraries, leisure centres and police stations.

Discount travel vouchers are available, to make access to the Splash scheme even easier.

For details, visit the website at www.splash-wiltshire.org.uk.