YOUNG people are looking forward to a brighter future thanks to a £30,000 cash boost.

Westhoughton Active Volunteers Enterprise has been given the grant from BBC Children in Need for its work with disadvantaged young people in Bolton.

The group, based at the John Holt Youth Centre, will use the funding over three years to run youth sessions for children and young people who live in areas of deprivation.

The sessions will run twice weekly in which young people will take part in various activities, such as arts, crafts and sport as well as giving them the opportunity to access advice and enjoy educational sessions. The idea is said to provide a safe environment for children and young people in which they can build their skills, confidence and self-esteem, and raise their aspirations for the future.

Michael Wood, director at Westhoughton Active Volunteers Enterprise, said: "It’s wonderful news to hear that we have been awarded with this grant from BBC Children in Need, which will enable us to run our youth sessions for the next three years. Thank you to everyone that has made this possible."

This latest boost of funding, from BBC Children in Need's small grants programme, brings the total currently invested in Bolton to more than £583,000.

Isabel Farnell, BBC Children in Need Regional Head of the North,said: "It’s always a pleasure to award funding to projects such as Westhoughton Active Volunteers Enterprise which are making a tangible difference to children and young people in Bolton. The competition for our grants is always extremely high, but their application really demonstrated the impact that they would have on the young people that need it most in the local area."

BBC Children in Need's Chief Executive, Simon Antrobus added: "At BBC Children in Need the grants that we award, no matter how big or small, support some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in communities across the UK. Our grants work with projects that make a positive difference and transform young lives, which would be impossible without generous donations from the UK public."

Projects working with children and young people facing any kind of disadvantage can find out more on how to apply for funding at bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants