VOLUNTEER work in Ribble Valley is worth nearly £5million a year, a survey has revealed.

The Ribble Valley Voluntary and Community Sector Audit found that more than 4,000 volunteers - about six per cent of the Ribble Valley population - regularly gave their time and skills.

Questionnaires were sent to voluntary and community groups and the information used to provide an up-to-date picture of their activities and in-depth information on the value of their work.

There are now an estimated 22 million volunteers in the UK and an increasing number of people are being employed by charities and voluntary organisations.

The audit was compiled by the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Borough Councils, the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Service and the Trinity Youth and Community Centre, Clitheroe.

Wendy Langtree, chief officer with the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVS, said over 60 per cent of local groups had responded.

"The survey is the first of its type in East Lancashire and it has revealed that 4,252 volunteers in Ribble Valley give their time and skills, with a conservatively estimated value of over £4.76million a year.

"There are 285 community and voluntary groups in the Ribble Valley and over 60 per cent of respondents said they had no income or less than £5,000 a year, with 95 per cent dependent on the work of volunteers," she said.

The findings of the survey are to be added to national statistics currently being compiled on the voluntary sector.

Copies of the report are available from the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CVS on 01254 600640.

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