FATHER Jim McCartney had the biggest smile in East Lancashire today after his fight to help drug addicts and the homeless received a £140,000 boost.

Three weeks ago the Blackburn priest feared he would have to lay off staff at his charity when Blackburn with Darwen Council said funding had run out.

Today he was "over the moon" after his battle to save lives and make the town a safer place received a pledge of cash over three years from the Home Office.

The charity THOMAS -- Those on the Margins of Society -- was set up six years ago by Father Jim to help drug users and the "socially excluded".

Blackburn MP Jack Straw was so impressed that he said every town should have a similar scheme.

Today Father Jim said: "I'm delighted. We had feared for the future but now we can move forward with more confidence. At the end of the day we are saving lives and making Blackburn a safer place."

"The project is regrouping and the money gives us plenty of opportunity to expand. Some workers will go but we will be bringing lots more on as we develop different areas.

"We will be taking on 60 mentors over the next three years."

Earlier this month leader Father Jim spoke of his dismay after cash from Blackburn with Darwen Council ran out.

He had bid for £75,000 from the council on top of the £45,000 he got last year. But after being allocated only £37,500 for a six-month period, he feared he might have to lay off at least one of his project workers.

Now THOMAS, based at St Anne's House, in Blackburn town centre, is among five groups in the North West awarded a share of £500,000 spread over three years to enhance or extend mentoring projects.

The money will come from the Government's Active Community Unit and go towards training and support for volunteers.

Father Jim said the cash was a massive boost but he wanted more to help people get back on their feet. As well as government funding, he relies on donations to meet the £120,000 annual running costs. He has also reapplied for £40,000 from Blackburn with Darwen Council.

When Father Jim took over at St Anne's Church in 1995 he inherited a twice weekly drop-in centre that served 20 people.

His success stories include a former drug addict who went on to study at Cambridge University.

THOMAS set up a scheme to mentor Preston Prison inmates from the Audley and Shadsworth areas, which will now be developed further. Those taking part are put through a three-month rehabilitation programme involving a curfew and regular drug tests before being helped with training and to find work.

Ex-addicts perform plays in schools to warn youngsters of the dangers of drugs. The charity also has a day care centre where people can call for help.

The government has cited THOMAS as a blueprint for others in a policy briefing document.

Steve Hoyle, Blackburn with Darwen Council's acting director of regeneration, said: "We are delighted that Father Jim has received extra funding for this excellent project from the Home Office. We are aware that he is considering applying for further funds next year and we will be happy to consider it."