THE Big Lottery Fund has announced three grants totalling £164,846 for towards three Pendle-based projects.

They have been welcomed by the borough’s MP Andrew Stephenson.

The Peoples’ Enterprise and Empowerment Forum was given £144,896 for its step2it project delivering training on exercise and preparing healthy food.

Lomeshaye Junior School was granted £10,000 towards its Community Garden was granted which is giving its pupils a chance to connect with and learn about the natural world. The children helped design it.

The third award of £9,950 went to the Pendle Womens Forum for their work on bringing women together from different communities.

Pendle Tory MP Mr Stephenson said, “I am delighted the Big Lottery Fund continues to invest in Pendle. These awards will help tackle the challenges we face, in particular about joining different communities together and encouraging us all to live more healthily.

“Having visited Lomeshaye Junior School’s Community Garden earlier this month I have seen first-hand how the school are putting this money to good use. I look forward to returning for the official opening soon.”

The Big Lottery Fund funds large and small projects that strengthen communities and are led by the people who live in them. It distributes over £600 million raised from the National Lottery each year.