COMMUNITY groups across East Lancashire were today celebrating a windfall of almost £50,000.

The thirteen organisations from Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Rossendale and Hyndburn were on the list announced to share part of the North West's award of £603,000.

The grants awarded by the Millennium Festival Awards for All organisation, will help to fund community events, celebrations and activities to mark the year 2000.

The awards which range from £1,000 to a £5,000 have been awarded to Woodlands United Reform Church Indoor Bowling Club, Bank Top Women's Development Group, Blackburn Artists Society and Q.A.A.F of Blackburn, Burnley Alliance Silver Band, the Millennium Masque in Clitheroe, The Water Band, Rossendale Valley Sounds, Maa Aur Bachay, Whitworth Waterski and Recreation Centre of Rossendale, The Crazy Gang Theatre Company, Accrington and District Blind Society and The Waverledge Residents Association of Hyndburn.

Today's announcement is the first as part of the largest year-long programme. Up to £40 million will be committed to the programme across the whole of England.

Rachel Brisley, Senior Awards Officer for Millennium Festival Awards for All in the North West said: "These awards will make a real difference to local people in the North West. Awards have been made to many small community groups that have never before received lottery funding and we hope that the success of this first round will encourage other groups in the area to make an application."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.