A YOUTH organisation for people in Bridgwater and the surrounding areas has received a welcome cash boost.

Somerset Rural Youth Project, which has offices in Edington, will benefit from more than £800,000 in grants over the next five years from organisations including the Department of Children, Schools and Families, Heritage Lottery, Children in Need and the Young People's Fund.

The charity has also been restructured to run several new projects, to complement existing services such as those working with young people and adults in rural communities to reduce anti-social behaviour.

John Stow, director of youth work for the charity, said: “As a result of this substantial investment, we are able to look forward to working closer with other agencies in Somerset to ensure that as many young people as possible benefit from these new initiatives.”