AN innovative scheme where people use their skills as 'currency' has received a £1,000 boost.

Blackburn Borough Council has given the cash to the Local Exchange Trading System - LETS - which allows people to 'pay' for services by trading in their own skills as a form of cash.

People are asked to declare the skills they have to offer. They are then put into a directory which members can use to buy services they require.

It means, for example, someone could 'pay' for home improvement work in exchange for using their skills as a mechanic.

The scheme, which covers Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn, operates without the transfer of money. People who benefit are either unemployed or on low incomes.

Other groups to benefit from council grants include: Darwen Gala Committee, £1,000; £500 each to Blackburn and District Rheumatoid Athritis Group, Blackburn East Area Community Help and Green Lane Safer Cities Youth Group.

St Mark's Youth Club receives £300; Blackburn National Association of Widows, £250; Blackburn Summer Flower Show, £200; £698 for the Irish in Britain Representation Group to help plan a music event for Celebration '96; £100 each to over 60s groups at St Albans and St Luke's with St Philip's.

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