People across Brighton and Hove are being given the opportunity to try a host of activities for the first time.

Successful applicants in the second round of Try It For The First Time, a scheme which is part of the city's bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008, have just been announced.

The results show more people than ever before are benefiting.

The project invites people to apply for up to £250 to pay for them to go on a trip, see a play or try a sporting or cultural activity they have not done before.

Brighton Women's Refuge has secured £200 for a picnic and a boat trip and an over-50s group has £80 for windsurfing lessons.

Brighton Unemployed Centre has been awarded £250 to attend a live event at the Komedia venue in Brighton.

Maxine Lambert, participation worker for the centre, said: "It is brilliant. We get funding from all over the place but it is very difficult to get money for adults to do leisure trips because there is so much need for bread and butter funding.

"This is the second successful application we have had through Try It For The First Time.

"The first has paid for a group to get tickets to see Brighton and Hove Albion play Coventry City in a couple of weeks.

"The latest will enable us to offer our users with the opportunity to go to Komedia for a night."

Families from the Brighton, Hove and West Sussex Deaf Children's Society will also benefit after being given £245 to go rowing at Ardingly, near Haywards Heath.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "This money will provide deaf children with the opportunity to access rowing from qualified coaches with the support of communicators using sign language.

"The families of the group's members can also use the day as a social occasion and benefit from each other."

Other groups to receive money include St Mary Magdalen's School, which gets £150 for a trip to the Royal Pavilion, while Middle Street School has £195 to go towards learning about Saxon village life.

More than £7,000 of private sponsorship money has been handed out to groups under the scheme so far.

The next deadline is September 30 and any groups can apply.

Judging panel member PJ Aldred said: "Again there has been a tremendous variety of applications and some good ideas.

"Activities we are supporting are very down to Earth and diverse. They reflect a very broad definition of culture as anything that enriches your life."

Call 01273 292008 for information about applying for the next round.