YOUNGSTERS in the South Lakes are set to benefit from £180,000 worth of funding in the region.

Members of Cumbria County Council’s committee for South Lakeland have announced how they will use the money in order to help young people with a range of issues, activities and skills.

Coun Geoff Cook, committee chairman, said: “This is a significant spending programme and we have drawn up a programme of activities that will deliver fun, freedom and future prospects for young people. We have also targeted our investment at the most vulnerable groups of young people.

“In these difficult financial times it is crucial that we continue to invest in our young people, but also do so in a way that will deliver the maximum possible benefits.”

Over the next 12 months, £30,000 will go towards supporting apprenticeship programmes to target NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) youngsters, focusing on small and medium enterprises. A further highlight is £15,000 towards early intervention work with vulnerable youngsters.

A total of £10,000 will be invested in Lakeland Youth Council and a £6,000 towards the development of the UK Youth Parliament in Cumbria, while £40,000 will support the A2BNow Transport Scheme, which gives 5 to 18 year olds discounted bus fares outside of school travel times.