BLACKBURN'S Wensley Fold Children's Centre and Youth Action Ltd are to share more than £300,000 of government cash to refurbish their premises.

Brierfield-based Bodies in Motion (Pendle) Ltd is get more than £1.4million for two projects.

And Chorley's Healey Scout Group will receive £55,000.

The grants come from the latest round of the government's £300m Youth Investment Fund.

Totalling more than £90m the new funding announced will support nearly 20,000 more young people per year to access new state of the art facilities such as workshop spaces, sports halls, art rooms, recording studios and skateparks.

Activities ranging from dance, drama and music to sport, horticulture and employment skills development will be on offer, giving young people access to opportunities that broaden their horizons.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's Wensley Fold Children's Centre (WFCC) in Carnarvon Road has been given a grant of £142,000.

A department for culture spokeswoman said: "WFCC is based in the heart of a highly populated ward of the borough that has little provision for young people aged between 11 and 18-years-old.

"The centre currently houses teams from early help and offers nursery provision.

"The council's young people's services intend to take over two key areas of the building and through renovation create space to deliver much need open access and targeted provision via the creation of dedicated and appropriate youth work spaces.

"Activities will include life skills, creative arts, youth voice etc."

Youth Action Ltd of Unity House in Preston New Road, Blackburn has been granted £165,000.

The departmental spokeswoman said: "Youth Action is an award-winning charity that has delivered development and youth support programmes for the last 20 years.

"They have have supported over 4,650 BAME young people and have been awarded the Philip Lawrence Award by the Home Secretary for its commendable cohesion programme, as well as the Queen's Gold Award and the Prime Minister's Big Society Award."

Bodies in Motion (Pendle) Ltd from Orchid House in Brierfield has been given £1,405,920 for its work to promote the mental and physical wellbeing of the people of Pendle through the provision of structured physical activity, education and employment.

As well as its general activities the grant will support its The Garden Project in Fleet St, Nelson.

This community-focused garden and greenhouse facility provides people across Pendle borough with opportunities to engage in therapeutic horticultural activities, helps local people become more active and addresses the issues social isolation, promoting an overall sense of wellbeing.

Chorley Healey Scout Group has been given a £55,144 YIF grant for activities appropriate to scouting and teaching skills to children and young people.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “I want to see every young person have someone to talk to, something to do, and somewhere to go outside of the classroom, no matter where they are from, to help maximise their potential in life.

“This next round of funding from the Youth Investment Fund will help nearly 20,000 more young people achieve this goal."