AN award-winning project in Burnley which aimed to get more children exercising and eating healthily has run out of cash.

Burnley Council’s BUFFALO (Burnley Food and Fitness Aimed at Lowering Obesity) scheme has now stopped running but the council has not given up hope of restarting it if funding can be secured.

Council chiefs failed in a bid for cash from the Big Lottery Fund, but they are now set to apply for £250,000 from the Social Action Fund, a pot of money created by the Government as part of its Big Society vision.

Coun Jeff Sumner, executive member for leisure and culture, said: “BUFFALO was an exciting and innovative project that was extremely popular with children, parents and schools.

“Although it had to come to an end because of lack of funding it can be re-started quickly and start to make a difference, just like it did before, within a few months of any grant application being successful.

“The council is doing what it can to find other sources of funding so that BUFFALO can run again.”

BUFFALO aims to tackle childhood obesity by getting the rest of the family involved in activities.

The project works through local primary schools and includes healthy eating and cookery, physical activity and sport, gardening and allotments and eco-friendly schemes.

If successful the grant will provide two job opportunities and the resources to work in eight primary schools and deliver health improvement initiatives in local community venues.

Coun Sumner added: “Competition for Social Action Fund money is likely to be tough but it’s worth making an application considering the benefits to the whole community that BUFFALO brings.”

A decision on applications is expected at the end of this month.