YOUTH GROUPS in Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary can secure a funding boost this month.

YOUTH GROUPS in Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary can secure a funding boost this month.

Devon County Council wants to raise awareness of the East Devon YouthBank, which offers financial support to help fund events, trips, equipment, staffing, health and safety training and other projects.

Group representatives will be on hand to dish out advice in Ottery's Station Youth Club in Exeter Road from 6.30pm to 8.30om on Monday and in Sidmouth's Young People's Centre in Manstone Lane the following week on March 23.

Anyone between the ages of 13-19 who is part of an organised group can apply for a grant.

A panel of young people from all over the region decided how to allocate �40,000 last year, which included aiding Sidmouth youngster's bid to set up a youth council.

Mel Prowse, a member of East Devon YouthBank said: "If you want funding to start a local youth club, buy equipment for a youth group, organise a trip for a group of young people, extend the opening hours of your local youth club, or make any other idea that will benefit you and other young people happen, the first place to look is the YouthBank.