HYNDBURN and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Service has been given a £200,000 lottery boost by the Community Fund.

The grant has been made to enable the service to continue its successful work in recruiting and placing volunteers with local organisations and community groups.

And the cash will also be used to establish a full-time post to help open doors and establish volunteering opportunities for people with extra support needs.

Project manager Dorothy Shears said the grant recognised the valuable contribution that volunteers make to their local communities.

"Not only will our good work continue, but this grant will now enable us to help people in Hyndburn who may have had fewer opportunities to volunteer before.

"It will provide a full-time worker to support and guide them into the right voluntary work."

The lottery cash will also be used to establish a new website aimed at people in isolated areas.