TALENTED youngsters have received grant aid to improve their skills.

Seventeen young people are getting a share of almost £5,000 from Hambleton District Council.

Allertonshire School pupils Jessie and Douglas Roberts are keen athletes. Jessie, 13, has been North Yorkshire Schools cross-country champion for the past two years, won the Yorkshire Club Championship in January this year and was first in the Yorkshire Clubs Championships.

Douglas, 12, is also a cross-country champ who won the Hambleton and Richmondshire area trials. They are both members of Richmond and Zetland Harriers and live in Northallerton.

Brothers Alastair, 15, and Daniel, 13, Reed from Hutton Rudby, will get assistance for sport. Alastair, 15, has been selected to play for the North Yorkshire Schools' side. He attends Scarborough FC's Centre of Excellence.

Daniel is a member of the English under-15 table tennis squad.