HOMELESS people in Hyndburn received a boost after a counselling service scooped more than £25,000 from British Telecom.

Abbey Counselling Service, on Abbey Street, Accrington, were awarded the £25,570 from BT's £1.2million Community Connections scheme.

The money will buy a computer with Internet access, employ one full-time worker, help with training and supervision of councillors and kit out the offices.

Abbey, a registered charity, is part of Maundy Relief, a Hyndburn-based charity that offers material, physical and emotional support for homeless people in the borough.

BT Community Connections has given money to 1,700 community groups in the two years it has been running.

Since it was set up four years ago Maundy, whose patron is Julie Hesmondhalgh -- Hayley in Coronation Street -- has helped more than 100 homeless people a day.

Dorothy McGregor, manager of Abbey Counselling Service and Maundy Relief, said: "We are delighted it means that we can expand our service and help more homeless people than we were able to in the past.

"Because our service is so wide we don't fall into any one category and therefore we don't get money from council, social services or the government.

"We have to rely on grants like this or funds from cash-raising events like Hayley and Roy's Posh Do or from local donations like that received from Ken Nolan, manager of Spring Hill Nursing Home, in Accrington, who gave us money to pay our last three months rent.

"If anybody would like to help us they can contact myself or John Marsden on 01254 232328."

Julie Edwards, of Arts and Business North West, one of the judges that selected the winners, said: "We have had a fantastic response from a diverse range of community groups and the selection process was extremely difficult due to the high standard of applications.

"We were looking for groups that make a positive impact in the local community, demonstrating an innovative use of the Internet whilst constantly seeking to further improve and unite community life."

Log onto www.btcommunity

connections.com for information about the award scheme.