EIGHTEEN youth groups have received a cash windfall to keep youngsters on the straight and narrow.

More than £37,000 has been allocated to groups across the Ribble Valley, including £4,825 to the Ribble Valley Sports Club, £1,000 for the Ribble Valley Youth Theatre Group, and £3,052 for the Clitheroe Crusaders chess club.

According to a report published by the Ribble Valley Borough Council the cash aims to steer children away from committing petty crime.

Under the heading of Crime and Disorder, a statement read: "If the grant is not allocated the activities will not be able to take place and the young people may not continue attending the groups and may chose to take part in other activities which may be linked to anti-social behaviour."

The cash is being awarded as part of a Lancashire County Council Young People's Service's scheme.

The total being offered to groups is £42,500.

The Hodder Youth Group based in Slaidburn Hall is going to use its £1,500 cash boost to take youngsters caving and karting.

Gaja Cannon, who spearheads the group, said: "The money gives us an opportunity to take the children out of rural locations and allow them to experience new and wonderful things.

"It also allows them to get together with friends and develop social skills.

It is about engaging them as hanging round the village green can be catastrophic and really upsets some people.

"This way we take them out and keep them occupied."

Michael Ranson, leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council, said that idleness amongst children created many problems including the possibility of leading to a life of crime.

He said: "I think we need as much funding as possible for youth services in the area.

"The children here are tremendous and they need to be kept occupied in sports, the arts and community events to make sure that they don't start to go down the wrong path.

"The biggest problems occur when they get bored so this money will provide the children with many opportunities which they normally would not experience."

The allocation of the grants is expected to be rubberstamped at the next Lancashire Local-Ribble Valley meeting in Whalley Abbey, The Sands, on October 21.