MEMBERS of a mountain rescue team in Clitheroe are scaling the heights after a six-figure cash windfall from the National Lottery.

Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue has been given £171,000 to revamp its Dunsop Bridge premises.

The cottage acts as a base for rescuers but the organisation wants to throw open its doors to school groups and disabled people.

Spokesman Stuart Davidson said the money would be used to build an extension and upgrade facilities. New facilities would include sleeping quarters, as well as ramps and a lift for the disabled.

He described the windfall as "brilliant news" and said the organisation, which relies solely on donations, could now "give something back to the community".

He said: "We will now be able to extend our work with schoolchildren and underprivileged youngsters, as well as disabled groups. This is great news and we are absolutely delighted.

The cash was awarded under the Lottery's priority areas initiative, which provides 90 per cent funding for projects in designated areas of "sporting and social deprivation".

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