RESEARCH workers are to get £5,000 to study the history of the area's notorious witches.

The Lancashire Witch Project, based at Lancashire Museum in Stanley Street, Preston, is one of several groups to benefit from a new lottery scheme which starts in July.

Under the Awards for All programme, groups which operate on a non-profit basis, can apply for funding of between £500 and £5,000. Other local groups to benefit from the scheme include the South Ribble Rugby League Development Group which will receive more than £4,000 for new equipment from the group.

The Awards for All scheme follows on from the Millennium Festival Awards for All programme.

Since November 2000 over 440 grants have been given out to a variety of local groups, with a total value of £1,608,277. Applications are welcomed from all types of organisation including sport, arts, heritage and community projects, as long as at least one of the aims of the schemes can be met.

The four aims of the scheme are: supporting community activity, extending access and participation, increasing skill and creativity, improving the quality of life.

The grant scheme has no deadlines, and to find out more, groups should contact an awards officer on 01925 626800.