NEEDY children in Hyndburn could be given the chance to have a seaside holiday after councillors agreed to provide £1,000 to fund five breaks for up to 12 children each.

The Holidays for Children initiative is organised by national charity Harvest Trust.

The week-long breaks are for children aged from eight to 12 who don't normally get the chance of a holiday.

The holidays are free to qualifying groups - children must be in genuine need of a holiday - and enable youngsters to explore caves, search through rock pools, fly kites and and go for coastline walks to spot seals and dolphins.

Community organisations in Hyndburn are being invited to organise groups of up to 12 boys and girls to stay at a holiday centre in West Wales.

Each group would need to find £200 to pay for food. Joan Pilkington, interim chairman of Hyndburn's Community Empowerment Network, asked the council to fund that cost after discovering the holidays were available.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe agreed to fund five holidays.

Anyone who would like to find out more or nominate a child for a holiday should call Joanne Smith, CEN co-ordinator, on 01254 232426, or Joan Pilkington on 01254 398491.