A GROUP for LGBT+ youngsters has been hailed as a "life–saver".

Oswestry town councillors unanimously agreed to provide a £3,000 grant to Shropshire Youth Association for an extra XYZ monthly session in the town.

Several members of the Finance and General Purpose Committee told how such groups helped young LGBT+ people.

Councillor Olly Rose was close to tears when discussing her support for the group.

"I know some children who have attended the group in Shrewsbury and say that it's a life–saver, basically."

The application told how Shropshire Council provided funding for a two-term project at the Marches School for LGBT+ pupils, which ended in March - and the group continued the scheme until the end of the school year.

The association has already secured Children in Need funding for XYZ meetings which are held twice a month in Shrewsbury and once in Oswestry and Telford.

YTA's application said that the town council funding would add another Oswestry meeting.

Cllr Mike Coppock said: "For people in that situation, going through school life is incredibly stressful. You have to have something like this available. For many people it's a life–saver."

The application added that the Oswestry meetings would benefit young people in the town and surrounding rural areas, and would indirectly help to reduce demand on mental health services, police, children's social care and the judicial service.

It would also help to increase attendances at schools, the application said.

Cllr Jay Moore said that he has worked with young people in the area, including LGBT+ youths, and said of the service: "It's an essential thing and something that we absolutely have to ensure happens."