TWO major National Lottery grants have been secured by the Community Council of Lancashire.

The grants, from the Lottery's charities board (NLCB), will enable the CCL to develop its 'Information, Advice and Technical Support Service' and a community-based project called REAL.

The first scheme will offer advice on sources of funding from UK charities and Europe, in addition to offering support and technical assistance in getting hold of the funds.

CCL senior information officer Lorraine Wilson said: "This will allow us to build upon our existing work and create a service the communities of Lancashire need and deserve."

She added: "We are determined to see the communities and voluntary organisations of Lancashire increase their take-up of the significant funds available to them."

The second scheme will enable CCL, and big partner the Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT), become the centre of a major initiative known as REAL.

It is aimed at helping communities, funding local solutions to the problems and opportunities they face. Jayne Fletcher, senior development officer, said: "We have long recognised that communities are bombarded by all sorts of agencies, wanting to inject local opinion and ideas into various strategies and plans.

"But communities rarely recognise their influence." John Sellers, CCL deputy chief executive, said: "We are now able to develop two exciting initiatives which offer a significant opportunity for communities and voluntary organisations."

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