THIS year marks the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War.

To commemorate this, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced a small grants fund for Your Call groups wishing to remember some of the darkest days of our history.

Community groups that have taken part in Your Call events can apply to the fund. For example, they may have taken part in a community clean-up or formed a winter squad.

Any group that has taken part in at least three of these events from April 2013 to April 2014 will be eligible to apply for a grant of up to £200 to host their own commemorative events.

Many groups have already come forward and are in the process of receiving funds but there is still time to apply for funding.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “One hundred years ago, communities up and down our country, not just Blackburn and Darwen, came together to fight a war.

“We as a borough and a community cannot let the sacrifice many of our families made in that dark period go unmarked.

“These grants will reward groups that, as in the spirit of 1914, come together and volunteer for their community over the coming months.

“I hope that the forthcoming commemorations made possible by these grants will truly honour all those from East Lancashire that served and fell in the war.”

For more information on applying for a grant, please contact 01254 585448.