CARLISLE MP John Stevenson has welcomed a grant fund of almost £50,000 to help expand the city's Youthzone services.

It has been announced that there will be a grant of £48,770 to Carlisle Youth Zone from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund.

The fund has been designed to create, improve and expand local youth services across the country, to support young people’s health, wellbeing and skills for work and life, no matter where they live. £12 million funding has been fast-tracked to local youth services where supply is currently far short of meeting demand.

Carlisle Youth Zone provide a safe meeting place for young people experiencing social and wellbeing issues and for those at risk of becoming involved with anti-social behaviours. The funding is to be used to create an inviting space within its current building with a new lighting system and durable furniture.

Mr Stevenson said: “I was delighted to visit Carlisle Youth Zone a couple of weeks ago and meet some of the young people who use the service.

"I am pleased to hear that they have been awarded this grant which will enable them to expand their service to more young people in the area.”

Nigel Huddleston, Minister of Sport, Tourism And Civil Society, said “We want every young person, no matter where they’re from, to have the chance to get the best start in life.

"Today we are firing the starting gun on the roll-out of our National Youth Guarantee and putting more money into improving access to youth services where it is most needed.”