TWO ancient charities which have helped the "poor, aged, needy and impotent" of Longridge for 300 years have combined to serve the North West.

The Thomas Houghton and William Daniels charities have released funds around Christmas for the needy of the Ribble Valley town since the 1640s.

The two men left cash for the "poor, aged, needy and impotent in and around Longridge" while the "unmarried ladies of Broughton may apply for petticoats."

A spokesman at Preston solicitors Brabner Holden Banks Wilson, trustees and administrators of the charities, said the needs of the community had changed since the two men made their bequests.

As a result, payments had been withheld for the past two years while the terms of the charities were revised.

"We took the opportunity to combine the two charities, which will have the same scale of benefit, but a wider area covering the North West," he said.

Applications for help from the charity are to be invited on a yearly or twice-yearly basis by advertisement.

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