FOUR community and voluntary organisations providing play opportunities for youngsters in Hartlepool are in line for a boost.

Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's grants committee have approved grant aid totalling £13,825 from the Play Opportunities Pool for 2004/2005.

Hartlepool Families First will receive £5,265, while the West View Project, Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group and Manor Residents' Association have been awarded £3,960, £3,100 and £1,500 respectively.

Councillor John Lauderdale, chairman of the grants committee, said: "These four organisations provide valued services and we are delighted to be able to offer them continued support through these grants.

"The money will help them cover their costs, and hopefully, act as a magnet bringing in further sums from other sources."

Hartlepool Families First, which began in 1988 and caters for children aged up to 11, is keen to target the Foggy Furze, Shrewsbury Street, Clavering and Easington Road areas of the town, along with Throston Kids Club.

The Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group offers support to about 60 young people with varying degrees of disability and special needs. It is hoping to organise activities during next year's school holidays.

The West View Project is hoping to build on its existing activities for eight to 14-year-olds by organising a series of playschemes during the same holidays.

The Manor Residents' Association, which recently moved into premises in Kilmarnock Road, asked for help with its plans to provide school holiday play activities for primary school children, offering up to 32 places a day, four days a week.