CASH awards have been handed out from Bacup and Stacksteads Community Chest to help local voluntary and community groups.

Included in the latest recipients are Bacup Fire Cadets, who are using the money to help buy new equipment

Bacup Rotary Club will also be using its money to set up a message in a bottle scheme for people living alone

This will involve thousands of people in the Bacup area being given small bottles to write in details of any medication they take to be kept in a fridge and be easily accessible if emergency services have to visit the house.

Stacksteads Summer Fayre Group has been given an award to help cover the cost of putting on its annual fair to bring together the local community.

Any groups who may benefit from a Community Chest grant need to be based in the OL13 area, have a large membership of people from the area or catering for residents of the OL13 postcode area.

Grants can cover travel costs outside mainland UK, retrospective payments, social events and ongoing expenses such as rent and salaries and purchase or running costs of vehicles.

Applicants can contact Dale Connearn by calling 01706 871730 or e-mail at cdw@rossendale-partnership.org.uk