A COUNCIL-funded three-day trip to the seaside for 80 volunteers which cost £23,000 has been defended.

The event, staged by Blackburn with Darwen Council, was designed to aid local community workers, particularly on new plans to improve activity and excercise among residents.

The trip was slammed as a “jolly” and a waste of money but one volunteer, David Innes from the Bowls Resource Centre in Darwen said the experience was “vital”.

He said: “The money was a small amount to pay for the valuable experience of the workshops.

“We are aiming to improve health in Blackburn with Darwen.”

The seminars about health and wellbeing took place at the four-star Imperial Hotel on the resort’s Promenade.