BETWEEN £10,000 and £500,000 grants are up for grabs for young people in the South West to help fund local activities and services in their area.

BETWEEN £10,000 and £500,000 grants are up for grabs for young people in the South West to help fund local activities and services in their area.

Whether it is a youth café, such as that planned by Sidmouth lad Dan Gigg, a youth theatre or other schemes that address the needs of young people, there are just a few weeks left to make a bid to the Big Lottery Fund's Young People's Fund 2 local grants programme.

Deadline for applications is Thursday, October 16 and forms are available on BIG's website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk or by calling (08454) 102030.

Importantly, projects must be led by and for young people and help achieve at least two of five Every Child Matters outcomes - being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving in life, making a positive contribution and having improved economic well-being.

Groups can work alone on their applications or in partnership with other groups, companies and local authorities.

The programme aims primarily to fund local activities and services, but will also make grants of up to £50,000 available for youth-based projects to develop sites and buildings.

Mark Cotton, BIG's head of South West region, said: "Young people are best placed to know what kinds of activities and services they want and need in their local area, and this funding is designed to empower and support them to make those ideas a reality.

"With less than a month to go, now is the time for young people to lobby their local youth support services to apply for funding. It will not only have a positive impact on their own lives and that of their friends, but also the wider community.