A MARTIAL arts school has been awarded a £3,000 council grant towards the cost of taking a group of youngsters on the trip of a lifetime.

But Darwen School of Kung Fu and Lion Dance must still raise £4,000 in four months to make the three-day dream trip to France a reality.

The Easter trip will be the first time many of the 40 youngsters, aged eight to 16, have been abroad.

Owner Ray Heeks said: "Some of the pupils come from families which don't have a lot of money so we try to help them out.

"We helped raise more than £100,000 at charity events last year and it would be nice if we could get some support back."

Blackburn with Darwen Council youth service gave the group a £3,000 boost last month.

A series of fundraising events to be held at Sudellside community centre should help funds.

Youngsters will be washing cars at the Sudellside Street centre on September 18, from 10am to 4pm.

And a boot sale will be held on September 26, from 11am to 3pm.