Culture secretary Andy Burnham joined former Commonwealth 800m Champion Diane Modahl last month to take part in a Street Games lesson in Wigan.

The regular Friday night sessions at Hindley Sports Centre include a variety of street games including football, athletics, squash, handball and dance, and have been supported with a £42,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

Andy Burnham added: “It is vital that we provide our young people with as many opportunities to take part in activities that have great short and long term physical and social benefits.

“Street Games is an innovative, exciting concept and I’m glad to see it really coming to fruition and having such an impact in my own constituency.”

Diane Modahl, who is an ambassador for Street Games, added: “Street Games do an invaluable job to give children in communities across the country a chance to enjoy physical activity and make new friends.

“Being here tonight has been really inspirational and had brought back memories of my own childhood – these activities really capture the imagination. “Street Games is about grassroots opportunities – we want to encourage and motivate these children to help build self-confidence and teamwork.”

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust chief executive Rodney Hill said: “This programme is helping to get young people physically and socially active in the heart of their own communities.

“At the same time these free activities are a chance for young people to have fun and use their time positively, helping to prevent anti-social behaviour and youth nuisance.

“We are delighted that the work we do here in Wigan is being acknowledged and celebrated at ministerial level, as well as by Diane and our other key partners.”

Participation in the lessons has given young people from Wigan Borough the opportunity to take part in the North West Street Games at SportCity, Manchester in August.

The culture secretary visited Hindley Sports Centre during Sport Relief, which also saw 400 people taking part in Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Sport Relief Mile at the new Leigh Sports centre.

Community activity officer Emma Moran said: “We were delighted to see such a high turn out on what was a great day. We got a fantastic response from the public and we are so pleased that everyone showed great spirit and enthusiasm and had a fun time.”

Photograph: Andy Burnham and Diane Modahl at a Street Games dance lesson