MORE than £181,000 is being made available in Herefordshire this year to help disadvantaged young people.

But to get some of the cash local voluntary or community groups will have to apply for it.

Herefordshire has been chosen as one of the areas to receive three years funding from the pool of £150 million set aside for the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People. The money is being made available to help groups tackle child poverty and provide opportunities for vulnerable young people.

The £181,000 allocated to Herefordshire this year will be administered by the Herefordshire Community Foundation and director David Barclay working from the newly-refurbished Fred Bulmer Centre in Wall Street, Hereford.

The Local Network Fund was launched by the Government in 2001, designed to help those up to the age of 19 years who experience poverty and others between the age of five and 13 years at risk of social exclusion.

Among projects funded in other areas are the redistribution of clothing to families in need, a barge trip of youngsters to learn history, help for sexually-abused children and courses on anti-social behaviour, understanding tenancies and benefits employment training.

Call David Barclay on 01544 327851 or the Children and Young Peoples' Unit on 0207 273 4883 for more details.