AN inspiring arts project that has helped to change young people's lives has been given extra funding to carry on its work.

Youth Connections is celebrating the completion of the first phase of its Power to Change scheme.

It was initially a nine-month initiative aimed but has proved to be such a success that there is now going to be a second phase - thanks to an additional £16,000 grant.

A celebration involving a presentation of poetry, music and artwork with everyone involved was held at Youth Connections in Larkfield.

Alex Stevens, executive officer at Youth Connections, said: "I am delighted, as this project has been a real success.

"Showcasing what young people can do for folk in the community is what Youth Connections is all about.

"We have been given extra funding to extend it to a second phase and possibly a third and fourth."

The initiative is run in conjunction with Youth Connections, Access Technology and funded by Inspiring Communities.

Kay Clark, a funding co-ordinator with Youth Connections, said: "The project offers employability projects, access to arts and cultural activities in Larkfield."

There were drama sessions, a women's writing group and visual arts and music classes and the get-together showed what had been achieved through the project.

Kay said: "In phase two, we will be expanding the project.

"Inverclyde Academy's deputy head wants to get pupils from the school involved in a project using artwork to create their vision of the future of Larkfield."

Provost Martin Brennan was invited to the celebration event and declared himself impressed with what had been accomplished.

He said: "It was excellent.

"The poetry readings were great and very insightful about Larkfield and what it was like growing up here.

"The kids were amazing and showed how they could use software to create their own music.

"This is a wonderful project for the community - culture tends to be viewed as high brow and concert halls, but culture is all around us in Inverclyde."