ITV Local hooks up with Mediabox

ITV's regional broadband TV service ITV Local is to partner with Mediabox, the government's £6 million media fund for young people.

Documentaries, short films, TV programmes and video podcasts from Mediabox projects will be added to the web service from late summer.

ITV Local's director of programming, Lindsay Charlton, said: "ITV Local is a unique resource providing a platform for broadcast quality video content. This link-up will enhance the service we provide and give a really high profile platform to drive awareness for such community projects."

ITV Local was first launched in the Meridian region in October 2005, was rolled out to ITV's central region and to London in March this year. By the end of the year, it will be extended across England and Wales.

Mediabox was launched in December with funding from the Department for Education and Skills and offers grants for media projects for 13- to 19-year-olds. Individuals can apply for grants of up to £1,000 and organisations up to £80,000.

Katie Simpson, head of youth media at Media Trust, one of the partners involved in Mediabox, said: "The partnership with ITV Local is extremely exciting. Showcasing young people's work to a mainstream audience is a key part of the Mediabox strategy."