Young people will get free skating and tuition on a Monday night

Teenagers have been encouraged to take to the ice at the Time Capsule in Monklands every Monday night.

Strathclyde Police hoped the six-week initiative would bring together young people who would not normally mix.

Officers said that the only blades teenagers should ever carry were the ones attached to their skates.

It is the first time that such a scheme has been run in the area.

Young people aged 13 and over can go along to the Time Capsule leisure centre for three hours of free skating and tuition on a Monday night.

'Forge friendships'

A special ice-disco will be held on the final week.

Insp Julie MacConnell, from Coatbridge police office, said: "The idea was to bring together young adults from the Coatbridge area who may not normally mix in the same circles - due to territorial issues - and hopefully give them a chance to forge friendships.

"Having the Time Capsule on board to provide the facilities has enabled us to have both girls and boys taking part in an activity that we hope they will continue with long after the initiative has ended.