ORGANISATIONS in Worcester are to receive grants totalling almost £180,000.

Arts groups, support groups and youth groups will all benefit from council cash.

But due to the city's budget proposals the amount allocated this year, particularly for youth groups and the arts, had to be slashed.

The newly re-opened Swan Theatre received the highest grant among the arts group bids, of £54,000.

There was also a £5,000 grant given to a group hoping to start an annual arts festival in Worcester.

More than £2,250 was given to Sport Worcester for sports development in the city.

And advice, counselling, advocacy and community groups, including St Paul's Hostel, Women's Aid and Worcestershire Victim Support, received cash totalling £54,930.

The budget for youth groups was cut from £53,635 in 2002-03 to £22,000 in 2003-04, although this year's bids totalled just £32,590.

Those who will receive funding include Worcester Action for Youth, Communities Around the Park, Dines Green Streets Ahead and the city centre youth project Horizon.