A CHARITY playbus which had funding cut by the council last year has been given a lifeline.

Burnley and Pendle's Multi-Racial Playbus Association, which offers pre-school play sessions, has received £6,000 from the Lloyds TSB foundation.

Organisers said the grant meant the service would now be able to continue. Last year the service suffered a double blow after it was told to leave Burnley and Pendle Transport's depot in Queensgate, Burnley, where it has been for more than 20 years.

And shortly after Burnley Council announced cuts of almost £70,000 for the voluntary sector, which could have put the future of the converted double decker bus, which provides a range of play sessions for up to 15 children during term time, in jeopardy.

The service is free and is focussed in areas of high deprivation and at children from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Play leader Carol Hopkins said: "It is important that as many children as possible have access to a pre-school, play-based education. The foundation stepped in where other funding was reduced. We're relieved to be able to continue."

Ken Power, senior branch manager at Lloyds TSB in Burnley, said: "The playbus is a great facility and is very well used by children who benefit both in terms of increased social skills and learning through play."

The Burnley and Pendle Multi-Racial Playbus Association was introduced in 1999 after it secured £97,000 from the National Lottery to buy, decorate and furnish a new double decker to replace the bus that had been used for 11 years.