A youth organisation in Keighley is looking to invest in young peoples' bright ideas and projects.

Youthbank Keighley is an organisation run by and for young people aged 14-24 that can provide up to £500 to groups looking to start their own community projects.

The organisation receives funding from various sources and a committee of local young people decide which projects should receive cash.

Senior youth worker in Keighley Abdul Motin explains: "The idea is to empower young people with resources so they can use them in positive ways. It's a chance for them to be creative with things in their lives.

"We want to get more young people interested and involved in Youthbank, and give them opportunities to set up projects they think there should be for young people in Keighley.

"It gives young people decision making powers and is different to other projects because they are calling the shots.

"If young people need support from someone like a school teacher, youth worker or learning mentor then we will fund the idea, so long as young people have control over the money and what is happening within the project.

"Sitting on the committee also provides a sense of working together with young people from different parts of the community.

"We currently have a very diverse range of people from Highfield, Bracken Bank and Lawkholme."

The organisation originally started as a pilot project in Bradford and Keighley, and received £20,000 from the European Social Fund, which youth workers redistributed to local youth projects.

Bradford and District Youthbank, which included a Keighley committee, was formed in April 1999 when Youthbank was launched nationally by four partners including the National Youth Agency.

In a bid to establish its own identity the Keighley committee decided in November 1999 to split and form its own Youthbank.

It now has eight committee members and has current funding from West Yorkshire Police's Crime and Disorder Partnership.

Youthbank co-ordinator Sally Teasdale adds: "Once the committee receives applications it will read through them and put together a list of further questions regarding the application.

"Committee members will then invite the group to see them or alternatively arrange to go out and see them in their own environment. After this the committee decides whether or not to fund the project.

"The committee meets to discuss publicity for the project, how we can recruit new volunteers and look at what activities we can get involved in locally and with Youthbank nationally."

The grants are available to groups of three or four people, and anyone under the age of 16 must have the backing of a professional or parental consent.

Funds will not be handed out to groups that have already received more than £1,000 for their project from somewhere else. Projects can apply twice, but first time applicants will get priority.

Youthbank is also happy to fund religious groups, but not if the project involves promoting any political or religious beliefs.

Youthbank meets on Mondays at the Volunteer Bureau in North Street, Keighley.

For more information about joining Youthbank Keighley or applying for a grant ,contact Sally Teasdale on 01274201240.