A YOUTH music charity has said it wants to give more money to help boost children’s music-making in the region.

Youth Music, a leading national music charity for young people, has this week awarded grants to three North-East music organisations, bringing this year's investment in the region to £1.65m.

The charity supports 400 music projects around the country, reaching out to 75,000 under-privileged youngsters but says the North-East is not getting its fair share of what’s on offer.

The three groups which received grants were the Pre-School Learning Alliance in Spennymoor, Wolsingham School and Community College in Bishop Auckland and The Sage, Gateshead.

The Pre-School Learning Alliance, a group of Durham nurseries, was awarded £21,900 to provide music and movement workshops for toddler groups in rural areas.

Wolsingham School received £26,700 to develop its 'Weardale Musical Outreach Project' which allows disadvantaged youngsters to attend music workshops, performances and trips to national music venues.

The charity welcomes applications from organisations in the North-East for its next funding round taking place later this year.

Applications for Fund A (up to £30,000) and Fund B (up to £200,000) close on October 22 and November 5 respectively.

For more information about Youth Music’s funding programmes visit http://network.youthmusic.org.uk/Funding/about-youth-musics-grants-programme