THE Bungalow Youth Project in Buckfastleigh could be in line for an £8,250 boost under the new 'cashback' from criminals initiative.

The popular youth project in Plymouth Road is one of seven community projects in Devon and Cornwall which may benefit.

Until now millions of pounds in seized assets have split between the police and criminal justice system. This year, for the first time, some of that money will go back to communities.

Together, the seven short-listed projects in Devon and Cornwall total £95,000, exactly the amount earmarked for the two counties.

The final decision will be made later this month, but Mike Stevens, head of Youth Services in Teignbridge, which staffs and helps manage the Bungalow, said it was 'pretty well in the bag'.

'I am really chuffed. The money is so we can open on Fridays. We are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Because of the limitations of the old building, we always recognised that we couldn't expand the hours but now we can offer a much wider choice,' he said.

The Bungalow recently underwent a £220,000 expansion and refit, which has seen a dramatic improvement in facilities.

The short-listed projects were chosen through public vote from a total of 98 projects. People had seven days to vote and 4,318 did so. Each project had to show how the local community was involved, demonstrate good value for money and help tackle antisocial or criminal behaviour locally.

Mr Stevens said: 'The Bungalow is a lifeline because it gives young people what bigger urban areas take for granted.

'Friday is an important night to open because it gives young people an alternative to getting drunk in town and getting into trouble.'

Other shortlisted candidates include Torbay mobile CCTV, drug and alcohol awareness in schools across Devon and Cornwall, a boxing club in St Ives, and a break dance workshop in Plymouth.

The government's Crime and Justice Adviser Louise Casey said of Community Cashback: 'It is only right that the public should have a say on how cash from criminals is spent in their community. This sends a strong message that the criminal justice system cares about what the public think and is on their side. This in turn might encourage more members of the public to help in the fight against crime - to pick up the phone to report a crime, stand up in court to give evidence and support others to do the same.'