A CHARITY which has helped dozens of families living in rural areas faces closure after Lottery bosses snubbed its latest plea for funding.

Homestart Ribble Valley has survived mainly on Lottery funding for the past seven years.

During that time, the group, which provides support to families in a variety of ways including parenting skills and support groups, has helped around 151 children in families where parents were struggling.

But their latest application for funding has been rejected by the National Lottery's Community Fund.

Similar schemes based in towns and cities had received the money instead, a letter to the group's committee has revealed.

Rev Chris Cheeseman, minister at Whalley Methodist Church and chairman of the group's management committee, said: "It is a real kick in the teeth for us.

"While we did get funding from elsewhere, we rely on the Lottery to keep going.

"Only good housekeeping means we can keep going until February 2005.

"We hope in that time to find some money from somewhere.

"We think our work is really worthwhile but the lottery is failing to recognise rural needs.

"We organise various support groups and have 40 volunteers who go out and help families in all sorts of ways.

"The issues people face in urban areas are often translated to rural areas."

The group had received around £200,000 over three years from the lottery.

The scheme, based at The Sidings, in Whalley, has helped 83 families, and was set up after a survey revealed the need for such a scheme.

An administrative assistant has already been made redundant to help keep money for other running costs.

It isn't the first time there has been anger at Lottery funds not going to the Ribble Valley.

Coun Chris Sterry, who represents Whalley, said: "The Ribble Valley misses out time and time again. It is about time some money actually came to the area."

No-one from the National Lottery Community Fund was able to comment on the loss of funding for Homestart.