THE Friends of Rossendale Carnival have been awarded £2,525 to help fund this year's event in Bacup town centre on Sunday, June 27.

To celebrate the Olympics the theme this year will be rings and the grant will be spent on hiring performers to represent the five continents, including an Asian dance troupe, a Samba band and African drummers. The cash has come from the Local Network Fund.

The Rossendale Mela Committee has also received a grant of £6,000 from the Local Network Fund. The Mela will be on the final day of Rossendale Alive, which runs from Saturday, July 17, to Sunday, July 25.