CHARITY the Rank Foundation handed over £35,000 to police after being given a tour of the town.

The money, part of £90,000 over three years, will support various projects in the town over the next three years aimed at improving community cohesion, including an inter-community carnival this summer

As well as the planned carnival, which is waiting approval from Burnley Council, the money will pay for a "Bridge the Gap" project aimed at breaking down barriers between young and old in different communities.

Cash will also go into a community chest pot where police community beat managers and community support officers will be able to target community groups in need of cash, such as sports projects. The first instalment of the cash was handed to police by the Rank Foundations director of grants David Sanderson.

Inspector Jeff Brown, part of Burnley Police's community safety team, said: "We were very pleased that the Rank Foundation expressed an interest in what was happening in Burnley and were privileged to have the chairman come to the town for a tour around. We were delighted to receive such a generous sum of money."