Young people at Glastonbury and Street Sea Cadets are looking forward to setting sail on the county's rivers after receiving a cash boost from a housebuilding company.

The youth group, which currently has almost 30 members, has started to meet face-to-face again after a year of Covid-19 disruption.

And the group, which is based in Benedict Street, Glastonbury, is now a step closer to buying nine kayaks and a box trailer after receiving a £1,000 grant from Persimmon Homes Severn Valley.

The donation is part of the housebuilder's long-running Community Champions scheme, which sees up to £64,000 dished out to worthy causes each month.

Elaine Dearling, chairperson of Glastonbury and Street Sea Cadets, said: "We are extremely grateful to Persimmon Homes for this generous donation.

"Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our members and their families. Families have struggled with the isolation of lockdowns and for some of our young people, Sea Cadets is their only social outlet outside of school and so they have missed the structured training and of course their Sea Cadet friends.

"We want to give them something to smile about and look forward to. These nine new kayaks will do just that.

"Thanks to Persimmon Homes and other fundraising, we are now almost in a position to buy the new equipment."

Carly Spear, sales director at Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said: "We're delighted to be able to support Glastonbury and Street Sea Cadets.

"The last year has been tough for young people who have not been able mix with their friends as they normally would. We hope this donation helps to put a smile back on their faces."

Persimmon Homes is currently building new homes close to Glastonbury at Foxglove Heights in Wells and Priory Green in Chilton Polden.

For more information visit www.persimmonhomes.com, or to apply for Community Champions funding, visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.