£½m from unused bank accounts will boost sport

The cash, which has lain dormant for at least 15 years, will be shared among 12 projects for people aged eight to 24.

Jackie Killeen, Big Lottery Fund Scotland director, outlined the “Young Start” scheme.

Among the recipients is the Scottish Amateur Swimming  Association which will use £50,000 to train young people from disadvantaged communities in West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Inverclyde and Dundee to become swimming teachers and lifeguards.

A “floating” youth club will get £41,816 to target about 100 youngsters, mainly from black and other ethnic minorities, in and around Wester Hailes in Edinburgh. Activities include  canoeing, kayaking, raft-building and mountain biking.

In the Gorbals area of Glasgow, the Crossroads Youth And Community Association will use its award of £22,376 to provide teenagers with the opportunity to participate in a range of out-of-school activities such as cookery and fashion design.