TORRINGTON Police Amateur Boxing Club is one of seven organisations to receive grant funding from Torridge District Council.

The council's community and resources committee voted in favour of awarding £15,000 in grants to local youth groups in the district.

The money comes from the Youth Initiatives Budget, launched in May with a remit to support young people, aged between ten and 19 years, on a variety of projects.

The £3,000 grant will assist with the purchase of start-up equipment.

Other beneficiaries include Great Torrington Adventure Training, with a £500 grant to support expedition costs associated with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and Young Devon, given £1,700 to buy equipment to start up a T-shirt and promotions printing press to generate income to assist with the delivery of a range of community based projects.

Cllr Michael Footitt, instigator of the Youth Initiatives Budget said: 'This is a great initiative aimed at helping young people in Torridge and we look forward to seeing some of the benefits of the grants in the very near future.

'In this first round we've awarded over £15,000 to local groups, which means we still have another £15,000 available for further applications.

'I urge youth groups or even individuals interested in applying for funding to get in touch with the council sooner rather than later.'

Funding of up to £3,000 per application is still available for a variety of youth projects, including training, helping with a voluntary service, or purchase of new equipment for a youth or sports club.

For more information contact the council's community development officer on 01237 428756, or log on to http://www.torridge.gov.uk/youthbudget">www.torridge.gov.uk/youthbudget