YOUTH projects across West Dorset are set to get a financial boost.

Young people from the West Dorset Youth Council have successfully received a licence from the National Youth Agency to become the county's first Youthbank.

The Youthbank, which has received funding for the 5K2Day Lottery Fund, Chalk and Cheese and West Dorset District Council, offers grants of between £25 and £500 for projects that are led by young people for young people.

The Youthbank will be officially launched in Dorchester on Saturday. And supporters say the grants can be used to help improve the life of young people across West Dorset.

Youthbank member Alice Gale, 18, from Dorchester, said: "Small grants of £25 for example could hire a village hall to put on a local band, whereas larger amounts could be used as match funding towards projects that are more ambitious.

"The grants should make a real difference to young people living in rural areas.

"The application form is very easy to fill in, and we hope that young people will use their imaginations to think up projects in their areas - this could be a one-off event such as a village disco or football tournament, or something more long term, such as a village youth shelter."

The Youthbank will be launched in Dorchester town hall at 4pm on June 02. To request an application pack or book a place at the launch, call Sue Bickle on 01305 252204