YOUTH clubs across Scotland are sharing a bumper £5million payout to improve conditions for children in deprived parts of the country.

Eighteen groups in Glasgow have received £415,000 for building work and other investments.

And a number of Lanarkshire clubs have won grants worth more than £230,000.

The funding move follows the Prime Minister's announcement of a £184m community chest to fund improved youth facilities and make sure every constituency in the UK had a decent youth club.

Gordon Brown announced spending of almost £39billion in his first seven weeks of office, with £400m dedicated to young people, particularly in deprived areas.

The grants, which must be spent by March next year, were announced by Children's Minister Adam Ingram in a visit to the @home centre in Airdrie, which was awarded £26,311 for building work.

Mr Ingram said: "Projects like these make a huge difference to young people's lives."

The Glasgow grants ranged in size from £700 to a scheme that promotes healthy activity to £50,000 given to South Dennistoun Neighbourhood Centre for building work.

A similar top grant was awarded to Culture & Sports Glasgow for its Youth Zone Challenge.

Other grants in the city include an award of £32,000 to the Youth Counselling Services Agency to alter its building.

Greater Glasgow Scout Council was among a cluster of schemes which successfully applied for more than £30,000 each.