An American football team in Inverness is among a number of youth projects in the north to benefit from thousands of pounds seized from criminals.
Inverness Blitz, better known as the Highland Wildcats, has received a £1,750 grant from the CashBack Youth Work Fund to help build their youth programme and increase local interest in the sport.
A number of other projects in Inverness, Strathspey and Ross-shire, have also been awarded vital cash through through the scheme.
The fund uses money seized from criminals to set up activities for young people who could be at risk of becoming involved in offending and anti-social behaviour.
Robbie Paulin, who runs the Inverness Blitz project, said: “With support from CashBack, we’re going to be able to engage more young people in physical activity in the most deprived areas of the Highlands.
“Our Pathways project uses American football as a tool to help young people reach their full potential. As well as the physical side of the sport, CashBack will also help us break down barriers to volunteering and provide positive mentoring for young people in the area.”
Other projects in Inverness set to benefit from the fund include LGBT Youth Scotland, which has received £6,532 to run workshops for young people across the region.
A grant of £3,090 will also go to The Libertie Project Limited, with young people to get a chance to produce a 30-minute radio show or learn how to become a puppeteer.
In Ross-shire, Tain and District Youth Cafe YMCA has been awarded £5,785 to keep its drop-in centre for youngsters running.
The Place Youth Club in Alness Academy has also received a grant of £4,000 to give young people the chance to take part in outdoor residential trips.
Grantown on Spey YMCA has been awarded £4,680 to run a drop-in centre for local young people and a youth club for those aged 10 to 13 years old.