LEDBURY'S MP, Bill Wiggin MP has welcomed news that Herefordshire is to receive £1.8m from Talent Match, the Big Lottery Fund’s £108m youth unemployment initiative.

The money will help unemployed youngsters to get a foothold on career ladder through offering them training and volunteering opportunities, which can build up their experience and confidence in the jobs market.

The Big Lottery Fund launched Talent Match, a scheme designed by young people for young people, with the aim of helping those aged 18-24 who are struggling the most to find career opportunities.

Now the Fund has awarded Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service (HVOSS) £1,792,801 to run the local Talent Match partnership, helping local young people who have been unemployed or out of education for at least 12 months.

Mr Bill Wiggin said: "This grant is fantastic news for young people in my constituency who have been struggling to find work. Being out of work can be incredibly demoralising especially when it can be difficult to find the necessary experience, but Talent Match will give our young people the helping hand they need to get onto the career ladder."