Two Hyndburn sports clubs have shared £1,000 from a special council leader's budget.

Lowerfold Bowling Club in Great Harwood and Oswaldtwistle St. Marys Football Club have been given grants of £500 each.

The cash comes from Hyndburn Council boss's Cllr Marlene Haworth's special £20,000 Leader's Budget.

Great Harwood's County Cllr Carole Haythornthwaite presented a £500 cheque to Lowerfold Bowling Club, which will be used to buy a small set of bowls to encourage young children to take up the sport.

She said: “These small grants from the leader’s budget at Hyndburn Council go a long way to help grassroots clubs and I am really pleased to support the ongoing work at Lowerfold Bowling Club.

"Our local clubs are a key part of sport and leisure facilities for young people, encouraging them to get outdoors, exercise and also socialise."

Cllr Steven Smithson, Hyndburn Council's parks and green spaces boss, said: “The club offer a provision for local children to get into sports.

"Thank you to Michael, Anthony and many other volunteers involved in this brilliant club, I hope the small grant helps support their work and I look forward to hearing more about their plans for the future.”

The grant cheque for Oswaldtwistle St. Marys FC was presented by Cllr Smithson and fellow St Andrew's ward representative Cllr Peter Britcliffe.

The funding will be used to buy things like nets and footballs, which in turn will benefit the many members by helping to keep membership fees down for the young people involved in the club.

Cllr Britcliffe said: "I am really pleased to support the ongoing work Oswaldtwistle St Mary’s FC do. I know the funding will be put to great use.”

Cllr Smithson said: "The club organise fantastic family-friendly fundraising events throughout the year and are an asset to the borough. Thanks to everyone involved in this brilliant club."