COMMUNITY groups in Burnley and Pendle who help to improve the lives of the disadvantaged can benefit from a massive million pound lottery cash pot.

Burnley, which will receive £1.4million, and Pendle, £1.2million, were determined as "Fair Share" areas on the basis of social deprivation and having received low levels of lottery funding in the past.

The "Fair Share" lottery initiative is a partnership between the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund and it is hoped the money will help strengthen local communities and make a long term difference so that disadvantage neighbourhoods can access lottery funding more effectively in the future.

Now community groups in Burnley and Pendle are urged to apply for a share of the money to make their projects a success.

Angela Burrows, grants business manager of the North West office of the Community Fund, said: "We are trying to provide funding to voluntary and charitable organisations who are working to tackle social and economic problems and who can run projects to improve the lives of the disadvantaged.

"The first point of call for anyone interested is the community fund website, which gives guidance on eligibility applications. You do not have to be a registered charity to apply to us."

A total of £40.1 million is to be targeted across the whole of the North West.

Diana Brittan, community fund chairman, said: "We are pleased that we are already receiving applications from some of the areas which have not received their fair share in the past.

"We know that there are many parts of the country where it will take effort on our part to reach the most disadvantaged with the funds that they need, but we will put that effort in."

To find out how your community organisation can access the fund log on to www.community-fund.org.uk.