YOUNG people in East Lancashire are set to benefit from £15million of Government cash - and will help decide how it is spent.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes has announced a pot of £420million to pay for more things to do and places to go for young people in disadvantaged areas across the country.

Over the next three years, Blackburn with Darwen Council will receive just under £3.5million, while Lancashire County Council will get nearly £11million.

The money will pay for projects such as skate parks, basketball courts, and music workshops in those areas where young people are at risk of getting into trouble.

Ms Hughes is calling on local authorities to consult with young people so they can provide activities that young people want, at times that suit them, especially at "flashpoint" times when boredom can lead young people to dangerous or anti-social behaviour.

The move is in response to youth workers' concerns that young people often get into trouble on Friday and Saturday nights, when youth services are most likely to be closed.

The Youth Opportunity and Capital Funds, which will deliver some of the promised funding, allow young people to decide what activities receive funding - giving them direct control is seen as as one of the most effective ways of engaging teens.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council, the authority for Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, said: "Youth Opportunities funding is allocated to young people's charities and organisations who apply through the county's 12 Youth Banks, panels of young people who meet regularly to decide who to give money to.

"This is great news for our young people, as it empowers them to have a say in what goes on and projects implemented to help them."

Anne Longfield OBE, chief executive of national children's charity 4Children said: "In too many communities across the country there are young people who are feeling cut adrift from support - whether this is because of a lack of help from parents, a lack of opportunities to build their way out of poverty or because they don't feel engaged and entertained."

The funding forms part of the Government's wider Children's Plan, which promises £1billion to fulfill a long term vision to improve schools and respond directly to parents and young people's concerns by providing better support for families and positive activities for youngsters.