WORK to revitalise East Lancashire's most deprived neighbourhoods has been boosted by £8.9million.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund money has been given to Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle, among the most deprived local authority areas in England.

The government grants are part of a long-term approach to reverse the spiral of decline in impoverished communities and will be used to tackle crime, improve poor health, housing and education and create jobs.

Nationally £400million has been provided, with £108million in the North West and £15million in Lancashire.

Money is provided to local authorities working as part of local strategic partnerships with residents, the public, private and voluntary sector.

In East Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen will receive £4,334,824, Burnley £1,273,270, Hyndburn £1,293,636 and Pendle will get £1,960,942.

The boost comes as councils are also planning how to spend their share of money secured to improve housing under the East Lancashire wide Pathfinder project.

Elevate East Lancashire is one of nine projects which will gain a cut of £500million government money over the next three years.

Those living in deprived areas are already seeing the benefits of £500million of NRF spending since 2001.

In Burnley, previous money has been spent on 25 projects including a community health centre in Howard Street, a learning and support unit for Cherry Fold School in Cog Lane, and putting CCTV into taxi cabs.

Lea Fothergill, development manager in the regeneration and development unit, said: "We are delighted about this money as it gives us a major opportunity to develop some exciting proposals and improve service delivery in Burnley.

"We are committed to spending the money as wisely as we possibly can."

In Hyndburn a £100,000 NRF grant will enable the Hyndburn Healthy Heart project to help an estimated 10,000 residents in the Central and Springhill wards to avoid coronary heart disease by tackling causes such as physical inactivity, unhealthy eating and smoking. Donna Hall, executive director of corporate resources for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "We knew at the start of 2001 that we would get £9.75million, spread over three years, but we are really pleased this amount has been confirmed.

"The money is already allocated to people with disabilities, vulnerable elderly people, vulnerable children and families and specific area based initiatives."

Minister for Social Exclusion and Equality Barbara Roche said: "We are beginning to reverse the legacy of under-investment in our most impoverished neighbourhoods, whether it's better health, more jobs, safer streets or improved education.