The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has confirmed that its Young Roots programme, which is to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, will benefit from a £1m increase in funding.

A number of changes is being made to the £4m initiative in order to respond to the changing needs of the heritage and youth sectors, with its budget increasing from £3m from April.

Grants worth up to £50,000 will now be available for projects - double the previous amount - and the age range has been expanded from 13- to 25-years-old to 11- to 25-years-old.

Meanwhile, projects will now have two years to deliver - instead of 18 months. Young Roots launched in 2002 and seen more than 65,000 young people involved in 1,250 schemes.

HLF chair Dame Jenny Abramsky said: "It's vital that we inspire and equip young people with the resources they need to get involved with heritage in the future."

Details: www.hlf.org.uk