BLACKBURN College will use a £71,000 lottery windfall to create a programme of sporting excellence.

The college will use National Lottery investment from Sport England’s Further Education Activation Fund to create a joint council and college scheme.

The college will deliver a Get into Sport programme at the new £13.5m sports centre, built in conjunction with Blackburn with Darwen Council, from September.

Using the new lottery cash, the a Graduate Intern Sports Activator post and 10 volunteer Sports Activators will be recruited to deliver more sport sessions for Blackburn College students. The college’s sport development officer Matthew Hinchley said the cash would enable the college to meet the demand from students for sport courses and facilities.

He said: “It’s a massive boost for the college as it increases our capacity to meet the demands of students. As well as providing us with another team member, it also gives them a step up on the career ladder.

“We will also be recruiting volunteers who will support our sport enrichment programme.”