A GROUND-BREAKING community resource centre aimed at improving the lives of people in Pendle has been officially opened by a leading churchman.

The Waterbridge Resource Centre, Rigby Street, Colne, includes office space, a training/meeting room and a day nursery.

Work on the £600,000 project began early this year and was overseen by the Waterbridge Community Association.

The centre was officially opened by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev Terence Brain.

It is open to everyone in the borough but particularly aimed at residents in the neighbouring Vivary Bridge and Waterside wards, hence the name of the centre.

Centre project manager John Beck said: "People value the area in which they live and the Waterbridge Centre will give them the support that they need to develop and deliver projects that will tackle issues including unemployment, poor health and crime.

"By encouraging wide community involvement the centre will help local people to map out a better future."

The centre houses a number of schemes including Giz-a-Start, an employment project offering free advice, training and childcare, and Colne Community Enterprise, which focuses on improving people's lives through a food co-op, local exchange trading scheme and a community newspaper and print service.

The centre was created on the site of the former Sacred Heart RC School thanks to funding from regeneration consortium Pendle Partnership and Pendle Council.

Partnership chairman Dennis Mendoros said: "The centre is an ambitious project that plays an important role in the regeneration of the Waterside and Vivary Bridge wards in Colne.

"The centre is the base for a wide range of community-led organisations that will provide lasting benefits to many local residents and businesses."

Anyone people or organisations interested in developing or being involved in projects can contact Mr Beck on 01282 661254.

Picture: The Waterbridge Resources Centre was officially launched by the Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev Terence Brain. Among those taking part in the ceremony were, from the left, Fr Tom Mulheran, project directors Michael Moss and Andre Till, Pendle Council chief executive Stephen Barnes, the Bishop, and Coun Alan Davies the vice-chairman of Pendle Partnership.