DORSET'S Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented is now open for applications to support talented sports stars.

The Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented, set up and managed by local charity Dorset Community Foundation will support, with grants of up to £1,000, local young people aged 14-21with exceptional sporting talents.

Angus Campbell, The Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, is behind the fund.

He said: "The Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund was set up to support local young people with a variety of talents and for the first round we will focus on supporting those with sporting talents.

"My fund will help young people who are particularly financially or socially disadvantaged – it will help ‘level the playing field’ so to speak.".

The £1,000 grants will pay for things such as kit/clothing costs, competition fees, coaching, travel costs and accommodation.

Applicants must have an exceptional sporting talent which has been recognized or acknowledged by the appropriate national governing body. As part of the assessment applicants may have to attend an informal interview. The fund will close for applications at noon on February 7.

To find out more or to apply please visit the foundation’s website dorsetcommunityfoundation.org