A youth group in Lincoln is going from strength to strength, after receiving £70,000 from Children in Need over the past three years.

The Life Church – a building-less ministry, with offices in Skellingthorpe Road – has used the cash to set up and run an after school club, youth club evening and creative arts session for children at the Birchwood Community Hall.

And with fresh funding applications being made, the club is looking back at its successes - offering more than 30 children a regular place to meet, talk and learn new skills.

Youth pastor Andy Hicks said: "This has been so good for young people.

"We work mainly with Birchwood Juniors and Leslie Manser Primary but we have children from St Lawrence's and the local area.

"The schools have always been very positive about what we do.

"And there's a really good group of parents who are supportive of the project – that's had a positive effect as they have really got behind it.

"It's all about community spirit and offering children avenues to express themselves – creatively it's been really, really exciting.

"The project offers children from parts of Birchwood opportunities they wouldn't have otherwise."

As well as helping to set up the club and allowing the continued rental of the hall, the Children in Need grant, has also allowed the group to employ two people.

Project youth worker, Ruth Gent, 45, is one of those paid staff.

"This club has made a huge difference to the children," she said.

"They can come here and do all sorts of things that they wouldn't be able to do in their home environment."

If you have any Children in Need events planned, and would like Echo coverage, contact Cerri Delaney on (01522) 804365.