CHARITABLE organisations in East Lancashire have received a share in a £34 million windfall from the National Lottery Charities Board.

A project to refurbish Knowle Green Village Hall in the Ribble Valley and transform the building with a new kitchen, heating system and information technology equipment for use by the whole community, is among the biggest winners with a grant of more than £116,000.

And Relate Lancashire has been given another £35,000 to help recruit and train eight new counsellors who speak an Asian language for two new East Lancashire offices. The money will also help the marriage guidance group cover the cost of staff working overtime as well as improving access for disabled people using their facilities.

Smaller projects to successfully win grants include Audley Sport and Educational group, Blackburn, which received £3,000 to fund a three-day outdoor pursuits course for 30 people. Burnley-based East Lancashire Lesbian and Gay Switchboard got almost £5,000 to fund an extra worker on the confidential helpline as well as training for new volunteers.

And Lancashire Alcohol and Drug Advice Centre, in Blackburn and Darwen, also received £5,000 to pay for a short-term co-ordinator as well as the refurbishment of the centre and the production of information leaflets.

Sawley Village Hall Committee got £1,265 to resurface the car park and in Chorley, Euxton Contact Centre was successful in a bid for almost £2,500 to buy folding tables and stacking chairs.

The grants are among 885 awards made to charities across the country, including almost £700,000 to Barnardo's and £240,00 to the Prince's Trust.

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