A HAMPSHIRE club that helps teenagers with special needs has received a £4,500 grant to help cover its costs for the next year.

The 15-strong Slams youth club meets every fortnight at the Wells Place Baptist Church in Eastleigh town centre with a team of young volunteers.

In addition to the club nights, residential and cinema trips are organised under the watchful eye of Sam Barnes, volunteer youth co-ordinator at Solent Youth Action.

He is delighted the club's grant application to Hampshire County Council has been successful.

"This grant really does make a difference and is instrumental to everything we do," he said

"The money helps with all our running costs and activities."

It is one of 15 youth organisations across Hampshire to have received a slice of the £91,500 council cash designed to help with everyday running costs.

They include Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Options, which gained £15,000 to help extend its youth support services into more rural areas.

Money given to the Hampshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs will be spent on funding a new county organiser.

The county's youth clubs are also in line for £20,000 which will help them to continue their work with youngsters aged 13 to 19.

A £2,200 cash handout will allow The Winchester Detached Youth Work Project to continue its work with disadvantaged youngsters across the city.

A counselling service serving the city's young people, aged from 11 to 25, is also £2,200 better off.

Money will be spent on the project's running costs, accommodation, office expenses and staff training.

The New Forest and Romsey Mobile Community Project will get £2,500 to help youth and community workers carry out their work in the New Forest, Waterside and Romsey areas.

And a £5,000 grant for the New Forest Nightstop will help pay for free emergency accommodation in the homes of approved volunteers for youngsters aged 16 to 25.