YOUNG people in the Sea Cadets, Scouts and at a special needs school unit will benefit from National Lottery grants of nearly £25,000.

Awards For All is giving the Mearns Centre in Greenock £10,000 to pay for a resident artist. The artist will help pupils who attend the centre adjust to a new school building. The grant will fund artist fees, arts materials and exhibition costs. The Mearns Centre, which provides support for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, is moving to the former St Laurence’s School.

Meanwhile, 1st Gourock Scout Group is to receive £8,910 to upgrade and refurbish their hall in Drumshantie Road, benefiting its members and the wider community. The hall is more than 50 years old and requires improvements. The grant will fund joinery work, a roller shutter, paint, electrical work, a dehumidifier, a burglar alarm, fire safety equipment, folding tables and folding benches.

Finally Greenock Sea Cadets Unit are getting £5,700 for equipment and furniture for its training facility at the Great Harbour in Greenock. The grant will fund two laptop computers, two 50 inch TVs, two wipe boards, 12 bunk beds and 24 mattresses.