YOUNG people in Worcestershire have been given a helping hand with funding for projects across the county.

A total of 62 activities have successfully applied for a slice of Youth Opportunity Fund cash, which has this year been awarded by a team of young decision-makers.

The county council's youth service handed over responsibility for choosing how £282,374 of Youth Opportunity Fund money is allocated to a team of teenagers in June this year.

The move was part of Funding Lots of Stuff (FLOSS), a scheme aimed at giving 13 to 19-year-olds the chance to provide their contemporaries with more places to go and things to do in the county.

There were 56 successful applications in the first batch in June, each getting a share of half the fund, given out in grants of up to £2,500.

Now, another 62, including an African drumming club in Worcester, are among the latest applicants to receive a slice of the funding.

Coun Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Giving the young people the chance to have a direct input in deciding how services for their contemporaries are shaped has been a huge success.

"The young people have benefited immensely from FLOSS. They have not only formed new friendships, but learnt valuable skills, including budget management and decision-making."

A total of 169 bids were submitted during both rounds of applications, which were assessed by the team of young people. Known collectively as the FLOSS management group, the teenagers were trained to be young assessors, a role that involved them visiting projects across the county to decide where the money should be allocated.

The management group will also be responsible for deciding how next year's Youth Opportunity Fund allocation of £282,374 will be spent during the 2007/08 financial year.

Young people interested in getting involved in next year's decision-making process or finding out more, should call participation and engagement co-ordinator Joe Green on 01905 827489 or e-mail jgreen1@worcestershire.gov.uk