A popular gaming project has been awarded almost £20,000 to allow it to continue its work for young people in the Maldon district.

Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service (CVS) relaunched Power of Gaming with a five-hour session in November, and said at the time it hoped to organise regular sessions for young people in the New Year.

This will now be possible thanks to funding from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit's (VVU's) community grant programme, which has awarded a combined total of £370,499 to 20 organisations in Essex for their work supporting young people.

Maldon CVS has been awarded £19,920 from the programme to fund Power of Gaming.

A spokesperson for Maldon CVS said its members are "really pleased to receive some funding to create some great opportunities for our district's young people".

The project was previously run by computer business Aztec Gaming, on Maldon High Street, but took a break during the pandemic.

Now led by Maldon CVS, it aims to provide a safe social space for teenagers aged 13 to 19 in the district to share their interest in gaming, build skills and social connections and try new things.

Roger Hirst, police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, said: "We know that if young people have the knowledge, the support and information, and the divisionary activities in place, they are less likely to become involved in crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

"The voluntary and not-for-profit sector work incredibly hard in communities with young people to provide them with this support. However, these organisations have been hit really hard financially over the last 18 months, while the need for their support within these communities has not gone away.

"After seeing the calibre of work happening across Essex to support our children, young people and their families, it was an easy decision to increase the level of funding to support more projects.

"I'm delighted we've been able to fund so many varied initiatives and I look forward to seeing the work in action and the difference it makes to so many.

"Congratulations to all involved."

The funding is for projects running from January 2022 through to March 2023.

Power of Gaming is holding two pop-up sessions on 23 and 29 December for secondary school children in the Maldon district.

Free tickets for children eligible for free school meals are still available here.

You can read more about the sessions here.