AN East Lancashire branch of a national paint re-use network has been launched.

Community RePaint East Lancashire has been created as the scheme celebrated 20 years of collecting and re-distributing unwanted paint to help brighten the lives of others.

The branch has been opened by community-based social enterprise Community Solutions in Accrington.

Co-ordinator Bill Staines said: “This is just another service we wanted to offer to help people out with the decoration of their homes or community centres.”

Community RePaint is sponsored by Dulux and relies on donations of unwanted paint from large DIY chains, local stores and residents.

Last year, 387,495 litres of paint were donated to 65 ‘branches’, which then distributed the majority to more than 2,000 community groups and more than 17,000 individuals.

“DIY stores donate unwanted or damaged paint because it costs a lot to get rid of,” Bill said.

“As long as paint is in date, water based and none-hazardous we will take it off their hands.”

Last week, the East Lancashire branch received enough paint to begin its first project, Bill said, the Springfield Community Centre in Burnley.

Community RePaint network manager Martin Pearse said: “Community RePaint offers a simple solution to the problem of waste paint.

“By re-using it in our communities and giving it to families on low incomes, we can bring a splash of colour to the lives of those who need it most, and we can help to protect the environment by preventing perfectly good paint from ending up in landfill.”

Community RePaint East Lancashire can be contacted by community groups and residents seeking paint by calling 01254 352591.