PROJECTS to fight substance abuse and help the disadvantaged were winners in a £1,167,112 round of lottery awards to East Lancashire today.

The area cashed in as the North West was named the region to most benefit after claiming £2.4million of the total £90million worth of available grants.

And six grants, totalling £7.9million, also went to national organisations which help the youth and poor in the area with recipients including ChildLine, Save The Children, The Samaritans and the NSPCC.

National Lottery Charities Board chairman David Sieff said: "Many of the projects offer young people the chance to learn new skills, so than can equip themselves to take a more active role in society."

Winners in East Lancashire included:

Clitheroe Drug Prevention Partnership, Clitheroe: £170,488 to help young people between 11 and 25 develop an understanding of the hazards of drugs. The grant will provide a full-time project co-ordinator, ten part-time activity organisers, costs and equipment.

Blackburn and District Women's Aid: £152,623 for a full-time advice worker and running costs over three years.

The Solvent Abuse Resource Group, Blackburn: £90,806 for a development officer, community worker and part-time administrative assistant for three years.

The Streetlife Trust, Blackburn: £46,364 for two part-time workers over three years.

Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Voluntary Service, Accrington: £51,199 for a development and administrative officer over two years, equipment and costs.

Burnley Duke of Edinburgh Award District Forum, Accrington: £31,865 for a centre to attract young people to participate in the scheme.

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Group, Blackburn: £500 for transport and leisure.

Euxton Pre-School Playgroup, Chorley: £9,500 for toilets and disabled access; Groundwork Wigan and Chorley: £948,112; Chorley Sea Cadets: £5,223; Sign Of The Times Project-Eccleston Youth Centre, Chorley: £16,012.

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