SCHOOLS and voluntary groups across Lancashire have netted almost £250,000 from a programme set up to help grass root community projects.

Broadfield School in Accrington was among scores of organisations to receive money from the programme, funded jointly by the National Lottery's Arts Council, Community Fund, Sport England and the New Opportunities Fund in support of arts, sports, environment, heritage and health projects.

Under the scheme, groups from deprived and rural areas and black and ethnic minority communities are given priority alongside applications from disabled organisations.

Broadfield School, a special needs school, received £4,000 and will use the money to set up gymnastic activities for the children.

The cash will enable the school to buy equipment and to use coaches trained and affiliated to the British Gymnastic Association.

Blackburn's Shadsworth Neighbourhood Association and Al-Nisa, a group working to benefit minority ethnic women in Burnley, also received cash grants.

The Blackburn group got £1,387 and the organisation in Burnley £5,000.

West Brookhouse Community centre in Blackburn also netted £4,960 to help the group in the deprived area increase its members.

The money will go towards a computer, printer, stationary, postage, leaflets, refreshments and website development.

St Augustine of Canterbury RC Primary School, Burnley, netted £5,000 to help children with mobility problems to swim, while Church Central Residents Association in Church and West Accrington gained £4,360.

Other beneficiary's include: Blackburn with Darwen Cricket Development Group, £4,668; the Dugdale Memorial Bowling Club in Blackburn, £4,997; the Burnley Alliance Silver Band, £5,000; Calder Canoe Club, 4,600; Chorley's Theatre Writers Workshop, £4,998; and St Johns with St Augustine C of E Primary, Hyndburn, £4,696.

Accrington's Globe Bullough Park Youth Football Club, £3,410; North East Lancs Association of Mental Health, £4,995; Bradley Primary in Nelson, £1,000; Happy House Playgroup in Clayton-le-Woods, £4,850; Rossendale Schools' Sports Association, £3,207; Haslingden Amateur Swimming Club, £4,875; Whitaker Park Action Group in Rossendale, £5,000; Rossendale's All Saints Catholic High, £3,350; and Wade Family Health Centre in the South Ribble, £3,227.

The Awards For All programme is now inviting bids for money to fund activities to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee during 2002.

Golden Jubilee applications must meet at least one of the following criteria:

involve all sections of the community and embrace the multi-cultural nature of society.

encourage community spirit and wide community involvement.

engage young people and promote or provide service to others.

Any group interested can get an application form by calling 0800 600 2040 or advice by contacting the Awards For All team on 01925 626800.