Projects which will make a real difference to teenagers' lives in Dereham area are sharing in part of a �10,000 boost - thanks to bids awarded by other young people during a Dragons Den-style contest.

Projects which will make a real difference to teenagers' lives in Dereham area are sharing in part of a �10,000 boost - thanks to bids awarded by other young people during a Dragons Den-style contest.

Breckland Youth Council has handed out grants to seven groups across the district - including three from Dereham.

A total of 21 applications were originally made for a total of �75,000.

A shortlist of 11 projects was drawn up with bids for �31,000 and the groups had to make presentations to a panel of five youth councillors - Stuart Green from Dereham, Luke Dawson (Watton), Sean Ward (Swaffham), Candice Sears (Thetford) and Jordan Bailey (Attleborough).

Awards were made to: Attleborough Boxing Club (�3000), Mencap summer play scheme in Dereham �2043), Thetford Girl Guiding/Thetford Scouts (�1440), Dereham Y Friday Football Club (�1151), Swaffham Rugby Club (�1000), Thetford Rosemary Musker Energy Reach (�800) and Dereham Y Friday Youth Club (�566).

The judges were hugely impressed with the quality of presentations.

Sean said: 'The standard has been really good and there was enthusiasm and belief in what they are doing. The groups here are trying to make a difference.'

Jordan added: 'The good things which are going on among young people need to be noticed more. The good things are better than the bad things are bad.'

Breckland Council's young people's champion Diana Irving said: 'It has been really inspirational to hear young people who really want to make a difference. They really care about the community in which they live and want to improve the lives for others.'

She said she was proud of the youth council members who had the tough job of picking the successful groups.

'It demonstrates how successful and important it is to have a youth council. Young people are making decisions on behalf of young people.'

Tobias Catchpole made the successful bid on behalf of Dereham Mencap.

'It means we will be able to take the children to better venues, get professionals to help us and make the experience much nicer.'

The Y Friday football club is planning to start a team and includes youngsters from the Portuguese community.

The Y Friday club meets each Friday and will be able to get more equipment for the large number of youngsters who attend.