AN East Lancashire community 'legend' invited to speak at a charity conference used the event to lobby for more local cash.

Mel Diack, of Clitheroe, recently crowned winner of the National Lottery Local Legend award, was invited to speak at the National Lottery 'Day Reception'.

The event was set up to promote the good work the lottery has funded, and was attended by top MPs and members of the country's charities.

Mr Diack, 53, was invited to speak on the strength of his lottery award, which recognises the work he has done to help young people in East Lancashire.

But he used the opportunity to call on lottery bosses not to concentrate on funding big events like the Olympic Games, and help local groups.

Mr Diack, is employed by the Trinity Partnership, Clitheroe, which has worked with socially excluded young people across Lancashire for more than six years.

He said: "I hope the government don't forget about the smaller groups. There's about a billion pounds of money going to go to the games but they must not lose sight of the other good causes that go on in this country. Hopefully they won't lose out."