Cash to save our heritage

The Heritage Lottery Fund is offering up to £100,000 per year for the next three years for the Local Heritage Initiative in Lancashire - and it has agreed in principle to continue funding the scheme for a further seven years.

The project, run in conjunction with the Countryside Agency and Nationwide Building Society, will support up to 15 local heritage projects in the county each year.

It has been launched following the success of a number of pilot projects, including one in Slaidburn.

Projects which could be eligible for grants include the cleaning up of reed beds, restoration of small local features such as milestones, mapping out local heritage trails or recording local history, traditions and customs.

Susannah England, the Countryside Agency's Local Heritage Initiative co-ordinator for the North West said: "Small grants can make a vital difference to our local communities and, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Nationwide Building Society, a large number of communities will have the opportunity to benefit."

Dr Eric Anderson, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "The Local Heritage Initiative will help people to conserve, to understand and celebrate what is important in every local place."

Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, said the pilot projects worked well.

"We intend to help more than 3,000 projects nationwide during the next 10 years. There will be plenty of opportunity for people to get together to plan future projects to enhance the spirit and distinctive character of the place where they live," he added.

Initial applications for grants must be in by mid-May but applications will be accepted every autumn from then.

Communities interested in finding out more about the initiative should ring the LHI information line on 01226 719019, or visit the website www.lhi.org.uk.

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