THE infant Brunlea Credit Union is growing fast, with savings and loans rising, the annual meeting heard.

Supporters packed Burnley Miners' Club to hear that savings during a nine-month period increased by 62 per cent to £15,000. Membership rose to over 100 mark and low-cost loans jumped from just £800 at the start of 1995 to more than £11,000 at the financial year end.

A total of 34 junior savers have enrolled with the union, which encourages thrift via regular savings and helps members with low interest loans. The annual meeting, attended by Mayor of Burnley Coun Arthur Park, heard that a dividend would be paid to members.

President Tom Fallows said membership had grown steadily, savings were continuing to rise and loans had exceeded all expectations.

He appealed for members to come forward to assist in running the union.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.