YOUNG people are cashing in thanks to two pots of funding that reward bright ideas.

More than £250,000 has been distributed to 79 successful applications since Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council launched its Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund at the start of the year.

However, there is still more than £180,000 left to allocate.

The largest award in the latest round of grants went to the Saturday morning Sportsability Club, which attracts more than 60 young people with physical and learning disabilities to Redcar Leisure Centre.

Co-ordinator Neil Young, a council sports development officer, has received £7,360 to improve equipment for the two groups who enjoy the two-hour sessions.

The California Youth Centre's plan to create a garden at Eston has received £6,000 towards the project, which will be developed by Groundwork South Tees.

The Whale Hill Community Association's Youth Club has received £3,600 towards installing a dividing wall in the main hall, along with new sports kit.

The council's cabinet member for education, councillor Ian Jeffrey, said: "Both these funds are providing much-needed finance for groups and organisations that rely on people giving up their own time for others.

"Every successful application is one that deserves our help and we're delighted to provide that assistance - it's a reward for their hard work and it's certainly making life more enjoyable for the young people who are accessing what's on offer."

Guisborough Town Football Club has received £2,000 to help run their junior teams, from under-six to 18.

The club's development officer, Faye Mackenzie, said the cash would be a huge help.

"The astronomical amount of money it costs to run a football club these days is unbelievable, so this money is definitely going to help us," she said.

"This money will be used for kits and training aids. We are self-funding, so we rely on sponsorship, fundraising and members, and this is the only government funding we have received, so we are very grateful."

A panel of young people is meeting every month until the end of next March to examine applications from groups for young people, aged 13 to 19, in four categories - sport, culture, recreation or volunteering.

For more details on the funds, contact Aggie Scott on 01642- 476367 or email yof@redcar-cleveland.

gov.uk.