A £90,000 cash injection has salvaged a scheme to help pensioners and the disabled in South Ribble.

The urgently-needed cash from the Department of Environment has saved the Staying Put project, which gives grants for house repairs and advice on benefits.

Staying Put was one of 22 schemes in the North West to be awarded the cash. It will receive about £90,000 over the next three years.

Gwen Crawford, principal housing officer for South Ribble, said the scheme has been very successful so far but funds were rapidly running out.

She said: "We've been swamped with letters of support from people we've helped but if it wasn't for this extra money it would have been difficult to keep the scheme going."

The scheme is a joint partnership between South Ribble council and Anchor Trust housing association.

Gwen added: "By improving elderly peoples' homes it also means they don't have to move out into Sheltered Accommodation or rest homes. They can get help to repair their roof, fix the gutter or rewire the house."

Anchor Trust's project manager Rosemary Lewis said: "We're delighted to receive the grant which makes the project secure for the future.

"Our aim is now to make more people aware of the grants they're entitled to from South Ribble and to find out if they're eligible for charitable grants. And good housing means good health."

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