ENVIRONMENTAL volunteers have received a boost to their work to spring clean a piece of woodland near Whalley.

The Friends of Spring Wood received almost £5,000 in grants from the Millennium Festival Awards. The money will be used to buy new equipment and pay for the volunteers' expenses.

Chairman of Lancashire County Council's planning, industrial development and tourism committee, councillor George Slynn, joined the volunteers to celebrate getting the cash for their work.

He said: "I am delighted to be able to join the Friends of Spring Wood to mark their achievement in gaining this grant.

"Sites like Spring Wood are very popular leisure areas and their upkeep and improvement are very important. Extra funding like this can always be put to good use, making the site a better place for everyone."