MUSIC lovers have hit the lottery jackpot after being promised a cash handout to perform a concert.

Blackburn Music Society can now hire an orchestra to perform at William Walton's "Belshazzar's Feast" following a pledge of up to £5,000 from North-West Arts Board.

The society is one of several East Lancashire organisations to benefit from a share of more than £500,000 of lottery money handed out in the region.

Society chairman Sylvia Alexander said: "We are delighted. We would not have been able to do it otherwise.

"The concert is a 20th century choral work and needs a 50-strong orchestra to perform."

It will be staged at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on November 8.

Other organisations to benefit from the handouts are Darwen Youth Theatre which gets £4,800 for its summer street theatre.

Padiham Festival Committee gets almost £4,000 for a festival of poetry, painting and a carnival float.

Elsewhere, Ribble Valley crafts gets more than £3,000 to make 300 tapestry kneelers for Chipping Parish Church.

Clitheroe Great Days of Folk will be able to run a three-day festival in June, thanks to a £5,000 handout.

In Chorley the Ebony and Ivory Culture Group gets £3,500 towards costumes for the Preston Caribbean Carnival.

Ordsall Local History and Drama Group, Clayton-le-Woods, gets more than £4,000 for a drama performance about issues facing older people.

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