A PANEL which provides grants to youth groups is looking for applications for it's next round for funding in September.

The Youth Opportunities and Capital Fund, Herefordshire's first funding panel run by young people, has been giving away grants for a wide range of activities since it's launch in October 2006, helping to set up over 80 projects to date.

The panel is made up of 13 to 19 year-olds and is supported by staff from the council's youth service and delegated grants team. Projects must have the aim of catering for young people of the same age range, with disadvantaged and hard to reach groups a priority.

A 15-year-old panel member James Johnson said: "We were inundated by applications for the first two funding rounds in October 06 and January 07, but we are really pleased to see such a wide range of activities supported."

For general enquiries or for an application form contact the delegated grants team on 01432 260753 or go to www.herefordshireyouthcouncil.co.uk . For information about the youth funding panel contact Amy Lunt, youth involvement worker, on 01432 383008.