Voluntary Action Calderdale has been given the cash to create hundreds of new volunteering opportunities for young people across the region as part of a national programme called Vinvolved.

Steve Blackman, from Voluntary Action Calderdale, pictured, said: "We were ecstatic when we found out we had got the funding. We started our application in July."

He said the money from V Funding, a national charity set up by the Home Office, will be be spread over three years and split into two strands.

Around £250,000 will be used in a joint venture with Calderdale College and Ryburn Valley High School. They will create a network of youth experts in the area who will encourage more community organisations to open their doors to young volunteers.

The rest will go to skills group Pitstop 2000.

Project Challenge, Youth Forward, Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale are involved. Environmental group Calder Future and Phoenix FM Radio have also received financial support.

The funding was unveiled at an official launch last week by Cabinet Office Ministers Ed Miliband and Phil Hope.

Mr Hope said: "I welcome the Vinvolved programme, which ensures there are volunteering opportunities in every local area.

"I look forward to hearing about the volunteering opportunites that come out of it."