A VARIETY of local groups in Padiham are to benefit from grants totalling £15,000.

The cash comes from the Padiham "community chest" set up by Burnley Council to "help local groups help themselves".

The money will be split among a mixture of community and environment groups including a Millennium garden at Smithygate, sports groups based at the Arbories, West Street Residents' group, for environmental purposes, Park Road youth shelter, Padiham Bowling Club, Padiham and District Physically Handicapped Group and towards plans to floodlight the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel. The decisions were made by a panel of local councillors, local and county council officers and workers with established voluntary organisations.

Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy the applications showed the energy and commitment that local people were putting into improving life in Padiham.

The cash support expressed the council's wish to work in partnership with local voluntary groups and the mix of successful groups benefited all sections of the community. The grants announcement was due before Christmas but the process took longer than expected.