A BID for cash to build a new community centre has cleared another major hurdle in the chase for lottery money.

New Era in Accrington is now one of 119 to go forward for detailed appraisal by the Millennium Commission.

Officials are hoping to receive £1.3 million to develop the Paradise Street centre into a base for all sections of the community.

It will provide a venue for public performances, Asian heritage events, education and training for low income families and be a base for adult services.

A fitness room with weights is also planned, together with a music room with recording studio, and a Cybercafe.

Showers and changing rooms will be provided for homeless people. This is the third round of applications to the Millennium Commission which gets 20 per cent of the net proceeds from the national lottery.

New Era is one of 1,011 applications seeking a share of £4.3 billion.

Two thirds of the remaining 119 bids will be successful and the final decision will be announced before the summer.

Bid co-ordinator George Garlick said: "The Commission calls this stage the biggest hurdle.

"It is like having an offer accepted on a house or getting engaged. We now need to work with the Commission to make all the final arrangements."

County Coun Dorothy Westell, chairman of community services sub committee, said: "I am over the moon about the news.

"I have been optimistic from the beginning as I don't think we could have done any more to win funding.

"It reflects a great partnership between county, borough and voluntary groups in Hyndburn."

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