A DROP-in and community centre in Stacksteads could be open for business by the end of the year.

Officers and members of the Stacksteads Riverside Park Group are this weekend celebrating news that a £45,000 grant towards the scheme has been approved.

Group chairman Coun Michael McShea said it meant that the purchase of the shop and living quarters in Newchurch Road could now go ahead with detailed specifications drawn up for development of the building and then tenders to carry out the work could be invited.

He hoped the building could be ready for use before the year was out.

Coun McShea said: "We applied to the Bacup and Stacksteads Community Partnership for government Single Regeneration Budget funding and we have just heard that a grant of £45,000 has been approved.

"Some of it will be used to pay for a development worker for the project."

As well as being used by the Riverside Park group it is also anticipated that it will provide office and meeting space for a wide variety of local organisations, including the Citizen's Advice Bureau, credit union, the Sure Start project for pre-school children, and welfare rights services.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson could also use it to hold surgeries for constituents.

There will be meeting rooms and office space for private consultations.

The basement will be made available for use by local youngsters.

Coun McShea said: "We looked at four buildings but chose this as being a high street presence, next to shops, post office and chemist, and because we thought it would be neighbour friendly in as much as no one lives immediately nearby."

Coun McShea said: "We are all delighted and excited by the news.

"The group consists of a very committed group of people who have worked hard for the local community for the past nine or ten years."