Winchester air cadets are in high spirits after receiving a four-figure cash boost.

The 1105 (Winchester) Squadron ATC is just one of a host of youth groups to be given a Hampshire County Council grant.

Youngsters across the district are to benefit from nearly £13,000 which has been distributed by civic chiefs.

The air cadets, who meet in Hillier Way, Abbotts Barton, are planning to spend their £1,450 grant on presentation equipment.

Flight Lieutenant Andrew Bowler, commanding officer, said: "We find that encouraging cadets to make presentations to large groups of cadets or adults, while being a little scary for the individual, yields long-term benefits in terms of skills and confidence.

"We are delighted to receive help from Hampshire County Council, without which our project could not have been completed."

Other groups to benefit include 14-25 Winchester Youth Counselling which has been given £2,000 towards providing free short-term counselling.

The Carroll Youth Centre in Stanmore will also benefit from £2,000 towards paying its youth team which works with 13 to 25-year-olds. A grant of £2,600 has been awarded to Winchester Detached Youth Work Project to support the salaries and associated costs of its staff.

The project was set up to respond to the growing number of young people meeting in public areas in the city centre. King Alfred Activity Centre in Winchester has received £4,000 to buy ten personal computers which will be installed in a refurbished computer suite.

The machines will enable young people at the club to complete their homework and pursue leisure activities. A grant of £625 has been awarded to SNAPS, Special Needs Activities and Play Schemes, in Winchester to allow the group to hire courts and instructors at the River Park Leisure Centre.

Councillor Don Allen, executive member for education, said: "I am pleased to offer my support to these projects as part of the county council's commitment to improve services for young people and maximise their opportunities."

The grants were part of £150,095 allocated to 33 schemes across Hampshire.