Basildon radio station Gateway 97.8 has been awarded prestigious funding by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The Funding from the Million Hours Fund will help Gateway 97.8 to increase work with young people at the station.

Gateway holds a weekly Radio Club youth group on Saturdays and also welcomes young people to the station on weekdays.

Young people across the week are trained in broadcasting and technical skills, including the NCFE Level 1 and Level 2 course in Radio.

The Million Hours Fund is a £22 million jointly funded initiative from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

The programme funds organisations nationally to provide positive activities for young people in areas with high levels of antisocial behaviour.

Gateway Director Danny Lawrence said: "I am delighted we have been awarded this funding to support young people. We are now able to add extra youth work to our schedule to keep training the next generation."

Gateway Founder and Director Ros Connors said: "It is very refreshing and rewarding to know that Gateway's commitment to young people here in Basildon has been recognised once again, and that we are to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. 

"Gateway's Saturday Radio Club currently offers free practical experience where young people can come together and build their confidence. Young people are our future, so long may the good work continue."

Gateway Editor Johnny Jenkins said: "As somebody who started at Gateway aged 14, I know the importance of training young people in radio production and broadcasting.

"The skills I learnt at Gateway as a teenager help me in my current work on national commercial radio. This funding will help so many young people to develop skills in media."

Earlier this year, station members and young people were invited to meet Princess Anne to collect the Princess Royal Training Award. 

Gateway 97.8 is a non-profit community interest company which welcomes funding from multiple sources, also including BBC Children in Need.