Youth groups and other organisations working with young people in the Fens are being encouraged to apply for a share of �10,000 that the Youth District Council has available for grants this year. Decisions on the size of the hand-outs and who should get them are taken by the YDC members themselves.

Sollie Davies, the YDC's finance officer, said: 'People can apply at any time between now and next March and we regularly look at applications. But don't wait too long: once all the money is gone, it's gone.'

This year the YDC has already awarded �575 to support children and young people's art activities at the Chatteris Historic Festival; it has also received applications for youth clubs in the district. Last year it handed out �10,000 in grants to 14 groups.