FARNWORTH has received a £94,600 National Lottery grant to help give its disadvantaged and disaffected residents a more positive future.

Raise The Youth Foundation (RTYF), a community interest company, will use the money for its Support, Opportunities and Signposting (SOS) intervention programme.

Its aim is to provide opportunities for 10 to 21-year-olds in the area to gain personal skills, self-confidence and aspirations.

RTYF director, Elaine Bowes, said the grant could "provide endless possibilities and make a real lasting difference to the area."

Since it was founded in 2011, RTYF has successfully implemented several behaviour change programmes aimed at addressing serious social issues, such as criminal behaviour and anti-social behaviour.

Its SOS Connected street based intervention programme involves working alongside local people and services to support youngsters and families, enabling the community to become a safe and positive place to live, work and play.

A key feature of this is the New Bury Youthie, led by Eddie Birchall and his team of community volunteers, which provides a huge variety of activities to engage the area's young people.

Mrs Bowes said: "So far, the response has been exceptional, with more than 160 children and young people already engaging in positive, healthy activities."

She said the children and young people are also understanding the values and principles of respect, giving to others and being the best version of themselves that they can be.