TWO East Lancashire organisations which represent and support the area's ethnic populations have been awarded the prestigious Investors in People Award by the East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council.

Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association and Blackburn Ethnic Minority Young Person's Forum were presented with plaques marking the achievement.

Chairman of the Pendle Pakistan Welfare Association said: "We made a commitment to the Investors in People standard in order to increase the professionalism of our staff. One of the main benefits has been that staff are now able to accept more responsibility and get even more involved in their work."

Mohamed Khan of the Young Person's forum said: "I would like to thank all parties involved for their help and co-operation."