YOUNG people in Darwen will be encouraged to learn new skills and have fun as part of a £32,000 investment in resources and activities.

It was announced today that Blackburn with Darwen Council's youth service had been chosen to receive the cash from the government's Transforming Youth Work Performance Improvement Fund.

The fund was set up with the intention of providing local authority youth services with extra funding to enhance the quality and extent of its youth work.

The £32,722 grant will benefit young people aged 13 to 19 in Darwen.

It will mean the council, as part of the Darwen Vision youth project, can spend more on summer projects, residential activities, advice, information and support sessions and fun activities including outdoor pursuits and trips.

Youth workers will be able to offer individual support, group work and other active learning projects to encourage more young people to remain in education, take up training and help them into employment.

Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for education and lifelong learning, welcomed the funding and said it would be money well spent.

He said: "This is an excellent investment in young people.

"It's about developing their skills, interests and confidence and offering support at what can sometimes be a challenging stage of life.

This is fantastic news for Darwen young people.

"The project will assist in the development of a multi-agency strategy for meeting the needs of teenagers in Darwen."

The council's youth service will develop activities and support for young people through a joint partnership arrangement with Groundwork's Youth Works project, Connexions and Twin Valley Homes housing association.

Anyone wanting to find out more about what is on offer to youths in Blackburn or Darwen should contact the youth service on 01254 694643 or call the information service for young people on 01254 661100.