Jubilee Tower Credit Union today celebrates its tenth anniversary and a combined savings among its members of £180,000.

It began as Darwen Tower Credit Union, trading as a savings and loan co-operative, in 1996 and opened premises at The Circus, Darwen, in September 2000.

In autumn 2004, it expanded to cover Darwen and Blackburn and was renamed Jubilee Tower Credit Union.

Its president, Janice Parker, said: "We are delighted to celebrate this important birthday.

"In our first ten years we have helped hundreds of people in Blackburn with Darwen to better manage their money."

It currently has 750 members and 650 young savers and has lent more than £550,000 to those members in the first ten years. The credit union also runs collections at several schools.

Development worker Stuart Ashton said: "We see helping children to learn to manage their money as an important part of our work."

Pieces of cake and party bags were due to be handed out to credit union members visiting the office today.