FINANCE chiefs in Blackburn and Darwen have admitted they have not done enough to attract National Lottery cash to the borough.

And they want to improve on their record by setting up a council lottery strategy to make sure the area does not continue to lose out to other parts of the North West.

Since the lottery came into operation, the council and other organisations in the borough have attracted £3.8million - amounting to £27 per head of population. If the borough had performed to the North West average, nearly £9million would have been attracted.

The council's regeneration department is likely to be made responsible for drawing up a strategy to improve performance.

The regeneration committee will receive regular reports on bids the council is putting forward.

A report to councillors concedes: "There is clear scope to improve the borough's overall performance in attracting funds from the National Lottery."

It says a more co-ordinated approach is needed for bids submitted by the council and proposes the regeneration department produces a plan to ensure organisations in the borough can get maximum lottery funding.

The council's regeneration committee will discuss the proposals on Tuesday, October 26.

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