A project to help young people with healthy eating and budgeting was among four that made successful pitches for funding from the Swaffham and District Lions last night.

The Iceni Youth Group will be given up to �500 to fund a dietician and trainer, and will also receive mentoring from the Lions on how to budget successfully.

The recently-formed Swaffham 1st Scout Group received the �300 they requested to buy maps, compasses and hand-held GPS units that will allow them to go on exercises and improve their skills.

St John Ambulance also received �300 to buy a camcorder that will allow them to film safety and first aid demonstrations that can then be used to train groups.

The Lions also provided �475 to fund cricket shirts for the Narborough under 11 cricket team.

Dennis Tallon of the Lions said: 'They were slightly different to the other ones, but when you listen to what they are doing, when they go and play some of them are in football tops.

'When they go to other clubs they are so smartly outfitted and it makes them feel slightly isolated so we have decided to fund them in cricket shirts. It will encourage more young people to join because it's a smart outfit that looks the business.

'It was really to try to support young people and their organisations in the area because we feel very strongly that young people are the future. So much funding is being cut now that community groups are really struggling. It's now more important than ever that service clubs like the Lions help support people in the community.'