Kayaking for Hoodies is being launched by an Oxford watersports club to stop bored youths causing mayhem on a city riverbank.

Falcon Rowing and Canoeing Club coaches are set to start teaching youths who hang out on the riverbank near its Donnington Bridge base how to paddle its kayaks.

Last month, the Oxford Mail reported how a man was thrown into the river at Iffley Lock, a boat was untied from its moorings and a canoeist was tipped out of his boat by yobs.

Peter Travis, Falcon chairman, said: "The club has decided to respond to that with Kayaking for Hoodies, although they should be called cappies during the summer because they all wear baseball caps.

"Lots of local kids hang about by the river at Donnington Bridge and Iffley. Some are toerags and some are nice ordinary lads.

"Some of them cause a bit of bother at Iffley and at the shops and the club has reacted to this by saying come on down and try our racing boats."

Mr Travis added: "We will have our racing boats out for people to try out.

"If this is a success we will go on next year and offer them rowing too."

James Hunt, 17, an apprentice carpenter, was with a group of lads hanging around on Meadow Lane, near the river at Donnington Bridge.

He said: "I would try kayaking. There is nothing else to do when I finish work or on a weekend."

Some of Mr Hunt's friends said they were trying to start a football team.

Mr Hunt said: "I don't like football. I have already been out with one of the kayaking clubs for free."

Simon Flet, also 17, said: "We would like to thank David Holmes at Riverside who gave us some free kayaking, it was very nice of him."

The sessions will take place on Tuesday mornings at 11am, starting on Tuesday, August 1.

They will cost £2 per session and anyone who wants to take part can just turn up, with a spare T-shirt, in case they fall in.

The sessions will run for four weeks, after which the teenagers will be offered discounted membership of the club.