THE Dorset Echo is offering £150 each month to worthy clubs and youth organisations.

Whether you need a new kit, sports equipment or to simply help with your fuels costs, these awards could be the answer.

To apply for our sports award you need to write to us explaining why your team or organisation needs the award, what the money would be used for and how it would help your club.

The first recipient of our £150 prize is Portland United Under-8s Football Club.

The island outfit run teams for boys and girls aged between seven and 15. The club has also attained a prestigious Football Association Chartered Standard Award while in two of the previous four seasons, the club has received the Fair Play Award which is voted for by other clubs in the Dorset Youth and Mini-Soccer Leagues.

The Blues' youth chairman David Symes thanked the Echo for the award.

He said: "This is our newest team and up until now the boys and girls were due to start the season in a mix of secondhand kits so we are delighted to have been awarded this grant.

"It will mean that the boys and girls of our youngest team will now turn out as smart as the older teams on the island."

Send your applications to Marie Burnett, Newspaper Sales & Marketing Manager, Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD. Please mark you letter October Award' and remember to enclose contact details.

The closing date for October's entry is September 30.