I WAS distressed to learn of the dubious priorities of the National Lottery's community fund.

I have learned that charities that cater for war veterans have received a paltry £1 million in seven years, while in the same period many millions have been spent on groups such as the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigners that aims to block deportation of asylum seekers and Helpage International that want to improve the status of old people in Central and South America.

What about the old folk in Lancashire?

It is shocking that our war veterans, the men and women who are responsible for our liberty and security, have been snubbed by the Community Fund.

I am concerned that these and other worthwhile groups that work in our communities are being sidelined by a rampantly politically-correct quango.

I appear to any organisations in the Ribble Valley that are applying for funds from the Community Fund to contact me so that I may endorse their application and track their progress through this remarkable committee.

NIGEL EVANS, MP, Railway View, Clitheroe