DARWEN and Rural Neighbourhood Board have given £10,000 to Darwen Academy to fund four new community projects.

The board agreed to finance a disco for 11 to 14-year-olds at a cost of £950, and Saturday morning kitchen sessions at a cost of £3,060, on the condition that the course uses food bought in Darwen and includes advice on healthy lunchboxes.

Also, £2,370 was given to provide a creche so that parents can attend after-school activities with their other children, and £3,620 to provide a community cinema for families on the condition that the project requests the use of Darwen Library Theatre as a venue and works with the existing cinema club.

All four projects will be part of the academy’s Stand Out in Darwen programme, which aims to inspire young people to improve their lives through entrepreneurial projects.