YOUNG people in Winsford are set to benefit as after the town's youth project received a £126,000 boost from the Government.

The Winsford Youth & Community Forum and its New Images Youth & Community Centre has been awarded the cash from the Youth Investment Fund.

New Images, at its base in Nixon Drive, delivers projects and sessions for children and young people, aged between eight and 19, offering family learning days and regular youth clubs.

Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson welcomed the news saying youth projects such as this play a 'crucial role' in creating opportunities for youngsters.

He said:  "Youth centres like New Images in Winsford play a crucial role in supporting young people in Cheshire - especially those who might otherwise fall through the cracks or begin engaging in anti-social behaviour.

"And so I welcome this new £126,482 grant from the Youth Investment Fund to the Winsford Youth & Community Forum as the Government continues to support young people growing up in Eddisbury.

"By sticking with this plan, thousands of young people across our county and country will continue to gain the vital skills needed to succeed in life, succeed in the workplace, and succeed in delivering a brighter future for this generation—and those to come."

Activities put on by the Winsford Youth & Community Forum include community music-making, holiday play schemes, youth anti-social behaviour avoidance projects, and canoeing at Winsford Marina.

The youth centre, like others across the country, help young people gain skills to succeed in life as well as helping those potentially at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour and gangs, or falling out of education, training or work.

This investment in Winsford comes as the Government invests more than £90 million to help almost 20,000 more young people annually across the country to access state-of-the-art facilities, workshop spaces, sports halls, arts rooms, recording studios and skateparks.

Lucy Frazer MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, added: "I want to see every young person have someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go outside the classroom - no matter where they are from - to help maximise their potential.

"This money from the Youth Investment Fund will help nearly 20,000 more young people achieve this goal. I’m delighted that many in Winsford will benefit.

"We have now committed to building or refurbishing more than 220 projects in some of the country’s most underserved areas, and are creating more opportunities for young people to gain the skills needed to succeed in life - by stopping them from falling through the cracks."