A £2.5 MILLION project to promote a healthy lifestyle in two of Blackburn's most run-down areas has been unveiled.

Blackburn with Darwen Council plans to target children and young people in the Bank Top area and adults in the Brookhouse areas of Blackburn, both recognised as areas in need of better health provision.

The Healthy Living Centre has already secured £1million from the Government's New Opportunities Fund, a pot of cash used to promote community projects meaning the centre can get off the ground. Initially, it will be based inside the Brookhouse Access Point and the Bank Top Community Centre, but will move to purpose-built premises when the rest of the funding is secured.

The council hopes the new facility will help people lead healthier lives by promoting health issues, sport and leisure facilities and dietary care. Provision will also be made for family planning and other community health services.

Coun Sue Reid, deputy leader of the council and executive member for social services, said: "This is a tremendous boost for the council, the primary care trust and the people of Brookhouse and Bank Top.

"The new facility will provide an all-round approach to encourage access to sport and leisure facilities, health promotion, dietary care, as well as medical support, family planning and other community health support."

She added: "The bid was drawn up with the communities the healthy living centre will serve. Their input has been essential and the new centre will benefit these communities for years."

The council has pledged £500,000 to the project over five years, with other funding coming from the Primary Care Trust and Blackburn College.

Pauline Walsh, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, said: "We share the council's celebration of success. The new facility will help improve people's health and well-being in Brookhouse and Bank Top. In pledging our contribution, we affirm how community health is improved by just by health service improvement. We hope that this will be one of a range of initiatives undertaken jointly to give people access to the same health and leisure opportunities that communities enjoy in other parts of the country."

The Bank Top project will be aimed at people aged nine to 25, while in Brookhouse support will be provided for adults.