PRESTON North End's Football in the Community scheme got a boost on Saturday, when organisers were presented with a £7,500 cheque.

The cash, from Preston Borough Council, will help the club foot the bill for running the scheme over the past year.

Preston Mayor, Councillor Rose Kinsella, awarded the cheque to PNE's Ian Johnstone before their home game against Blackpool.

Coun Kinsella, leisure services committee vice-chairman, said: "The council is delighted to be able to contribute to the operating costs of this successful scheme.

"It continues to provide many opportunities for young people, people with disabilities, the unemployed and local schools in a wide variety of schemes and initiatives.

"It is a special pleasure for me, as a North End supporter, to be involved in this presentation and to know that the leisure services committee recently decided to provide grant aid to the scheme in the coming year."

PNE's community events manager Ross McWilliams said: "We are very pleased with the continued financial support of Preston Borough Council.

"The success of the scheme can be attributed to the hard work of the whole community department.

"The scale of its success and possible future development relies on the continued finanical support of Preston Borough Council."

The grant brings the council's total contribution to this scheme over the past 10 years to more than £200,000.

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