COMMUNITY groups which have found themselves hard-up after being refused a National Lottery grant are being urged to support a "fair deal" campaign.

Organiser of Ramsbottom's Golden Jubilee celebrations, Linda de Ruijter is leading the attack against the National Lotteries Board "Awards for All" programme after the town was refused a £5,000 grant to fund celebrations to mark the Queen's 50 years on the throne.

Mrs de Ruijter said: "Any organisation who feel they have been unjustly treated under the 'Awards for All Programme' should contact me. I am gathering information for my campaign for a fairer deal for community applications."

Mrs de Ruijter has already written to the Queen following the National Lotteries Board's rejection of her application. The letter has since been passed on to Government Minister Tessa Jowell.

"David Chaytor MP has indicated that he will back the move as he feels strongly about the allocation of funds," said Mrs de Ruijter.

Fortunately, local businesses and individuals united to raise the thousands needed to fund the recent Golden Jubilee celebrations in Ramsbottom and made them the best in the borough!

Organisations who want to support the campaign should ring 01706 827602.