GROUPS which allow adults to supervise children at community events without checking their criminal records have been banned from receiving council grants.

And groups looking for funds to cover entertainment, travelling and catering will also be told that cash is only available if they can prove the event will benefit the community.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has drawn up a new list of rules governing who is allowed cash from its community chest and small grants schemes.

This year, £69,000 is available for community projects in Shadsworth, Whitebirk, Infirmary, Audley and Queen's Park in Blackburn from European and government sources.

Another £22,000 is awarded every year from the council-funded community chest grant, which can be accessed by groups from anywhere within the borough.

But the council is insisting that any group which wants money for projects which involve the supervision of children or vulnerable adults must have criminal checks carried out on the supervisors.

Community groups are allowed to request information from the Criminal Records Bureau, which has a base in Darwen, to make sure volunteers are suitable for working in "sensitive" posts.

The checks were caught up in a backlog before the new school term as teachers waited to be cleared in the wake of the deaths of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham.

Coun Maureen Bateson, in charge of citizens' rights and consumer affairs at the council, said: "This decision has been taken following legal advice about possible insurance requirements and risk assessments."

Some of the money used for the community grants comes from the European Regional Development Fund and the Single Regeneration Budget.

Coun Bateson added: "Their rules mean that applications for money for entertainment, catering or travelling can only be considered if they are part of a wider package of activities."

Sports and recreational groups can apply for funding for the first time. They have previously relied on the Sports Council and the Arts Council .

Recent grants have included £1,000 to the Whitebirk Community Association for a community event, £1,000 for the Shadsworth Environmental Project for trees and stone, £750 for a pool table at the Shadsworth Community Centre and £1,000 for the St Thomas' Area Association's multi-cultural event.

Community chest grant approvals have included £490 to help support Darwen Lions Gala, £1,000 for Blackburn Lions Gala and £1,000 for Edgworth Bowling Club's new cabin.