A PENDLE charity is setting up a mentoring scheme for young people after scooping £250,000 of lottery cash.

The mentoring scheme, run by Nelson-based charity SCAFF (The Southfield Community Action Forum), is looking for 15 volunteers to help run the project.

The charity, which aims to promote community interaction through activities such as sports, IT and mentoring facilities, was granted £250,000 by the big lottery fund in September.

Organisers said they now have the training scheme, money and children in place for the project, which aims to help 46 youngsters.

They are offering the scheme to all young people who feel they would benefit from a mentor.

The money will be handed to the project over five years and will allow the two workers and volunteers to go into schools to establish which pupils need help and how their problems can be addressed.

This will include things such as English and maths tuition.

Paul McGladdery, who will be running the project with Zafar Iqbal from the Smith Street office, said: "We are looking for 15 volunteers to help mentor the young people.

"The volunteers will receive full accreditation and training so they won't be n their own.

"So anyone with spare time on their hands interesting in helping people should contact us "We will provide training for the volunteers and this will allow us to provide activities for the young people.

"This will help them improve in which ever areas they need help from Maths to sports."

The volunteers will go into the schools throughout Pendle to establish which youngsters need help and then provide the appropriate mentoring.

SCAFF has just set up a programme to help improve elderly Asian peoples access to services.

Mr McGladdery said: "This is about community interaction and making life better for the community around us through several schemes.

"It is about enhancing and enriching the social, cultural needs of the community.

"We start as soon as possible - the marketing is done, the training is ready we just need the volunteers."

Any one interested in volunteering should contact Mr McGladdery on 01282 618686.