Outdoor chess for Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Pendle

The cash for the boards and benches has been given in Levelling Up grants, created after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed to invest £1 million in the game in Britain.

When announced in August, Culture and Sport Secretary Lucy Frazer said outdoor chess tables would give young people "something to do and somewhere to go” and siad chess is "a brilliant way for young people to develop skills such as patience and critical thinking".

Each four-seater picnic bench will feature a double chessboard on top designed to be durable and sturdy and allow two games to take place at one time.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has opted to place the benches in the centre of its two main towns using a grant of £5,000.

Cllr Quesir Mahmood welcomed the cash

Hyndburn Council will be locating them in Gatty Park, Accrington, and Rhydding’s Park, Oswaldtwistle, while Pendle Council has chosen Marsden Park, Nelson, and Letcliffe Park in Barnoldswick for the tables.

The 100 new outdoor chess boards across England are designed to improve existing green space facilities and encourage residents to come together to meet, learn and play.

A Department for Levelling up spokesperson said: "The provision of new chess tables in parks and public spaces is part of a cross-government strategy to deliver on three key objectives: increase participation in chess among primary school-age children, support elite level chess competition, and increase the visibility and public presence of chess."

Cllr Quesir Mahmood, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is great news for both towns to receive funding for this project.

“There are great benefits of playing chess and the game can have a positive impact on our mental health and with the chess boards being outdoors this will also boost our wellbeing.

“We will look forward to the new attraction, hopefully it will bring residents together to play a game of chess and it will be welcomed for both towns in the borough.”

Cllr Steve Smithson is looking forward to an al-fresco chess match

Hyndburn Council's environment boss, Cllr Steven Smithson, said: “It is so important to all of us at the council to create outside spaces where people feel that they can be active and meet like-minded people.

"We have chosen these locations for the benches and chess tables primarily based on the fantastic community hubs already based within the parks.

"We are certain that this move will do wonders for increasing social inclusion and reducing isolation within the surrounding communities by providing a free, accessible activity suitable for all ages.”

A Pendle Council spokesperson: "As part of the Levelling Up funding, Pendle Borough Council has been allocated funding to provide two outdoor chess tables and seating.

"These will be located within Marsden Park, Nelson and Letcliffe Park in Barnoldswick.

Rhyddings Park will get a chess bench

"The aim is to encourage more usage and reasons to visit the parks, to encourage chess playing and to help with the associated mental health benefits of a social game in an outdoor environment."

People interested in using the new chess tables once installed can either bring along their own chess set or there will be sets available to borrow for a small deposit.

Ann Warrington, chair of the Friends of Rhyddings Park, said: “It is wonderful that we can add to our wellbeing offers here at Rhyddings Park and I am certain that the new chess table will be a brilliant addition to the park.

"Everything we do as the Friends of Rhyddings Park group strives to promote wellbeing and inclusion, which the new chess table perfectly epitomises.”