A charitable foundation set up by the Brooke Bond dynasty is funding a pilot project to divert young adults from a life of crime.

Trustee Nigel Brooke of Great Harwood selected BLackburn-based charity Child Action Northwest as one of a few local initiatives to receive funding from the charity set up by his father, David.

Nigel said: “The David Brooke charity was started by my father in honour of his grandfather, Arthur Brooke who came to Lancashire and famously founded Brooke Bond Tea and had factories in Burnley, Manchester, and Great Harwood.

“During the Second World War the company was administered from Eaves Hall near Clitheroe so has long connections with this area. I am happy to donate to local projects where I can see a difference being made.”

Nigel, a retired community support officer, has donated £3,000 which will be used to fund a pilot project based on the successful templates already being delivered by the Youth Justice Team and employment and training scheme, Resolve 180 at Child Action Northwest.

The charity that began as Blackburn Orphanage now works with children, young people, families and communities.

Youth justice manager Faith Marriott said: “This funding will allow us to address the reasons why young men and women offend, reduce the risk of them re-offending and importantly use reparative and restorative justice to ensure they understand the impact crime has on victims and communities.”