MORE than 200 people keeping their fingers crossed for lottery handouts packed an East Lancashire charities conference.

The National Lottery Charities Board set up a seminar at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, to encourage voluntary and community groups to apply for cash.

The region has been highlighted as having one of the lowest number of handouts in the country.

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available to any group with an income of less than £15,000 a year. Larger groups with employment schemes in mind are allowed to bid for grants of more than £5,000.

Claire Tindall of Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Service said: "There was a really good turnout from voluntary, community and church groups.

"The various arts, sports, heritage and charity boards invited successful bidders to give us a flavour of how they were using grants and the National Lottery Charities Board has promised to return to help with applications.

"The CVS has had quite a few groups ringing up for help with applications and we're setting up our own advice sessions.

"People are bidding for things like playgroup equipment and transport for pensioner's groups.

"These things might seem run-of-the-mill, but it is this type of equipment that groups have difficulty funding."

Anyone in Hyndburn who would like more information about how to apply for lottery cash can call the CVS on 01254 600640.

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