GROUPS of Bolton youngsters are set to benefit from money donated by the Gannett Foundation on behalf of the Bolton Evening News.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club, based in Bark Street, has received a £2,000 grant from the Gannett Foundation.

Bolton Lads and Girls Club has worked with young people in the town between the ages of four and 25 for more than 100 years. The club now has more than 700 members.

It provides a variety of activities for youngsters, such as sports, arts and crafts and drama, and aims to inspire and enable young people to become happy and responsible adults.

The club encourages people from all backgrounds to join, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances.

Many enjoy using the club, often head there straight from school to join in pursuits at the scheme.

The project will later this year move to a new £4.2million building in Spa Road, on the former Navada Roller Skating Rink site by Queens Park.

Steve Hughes, Editor of the Bolton Evening News, said: "The club does a lot of good work to help our young people to grow up as caring and responsible citizens and we are delighted to help such a worthwhile cause. We look forward to the opening of the new club.

"It will be an asset of which Bolton can justifiably be proud."

A spokesman for Bolton Lads and Girls Club added: "The club is delighted with the support the Bolton Evening News has given us by making this generous donation.

"Local funding is a major part of our income and enables us to continue offering the town's young people opportunities to become confident and valuable members of the community."

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of the Gannett Co. Inc, owner of the Newsquest Group, who publish newspapers across the country.