PENDLE's new European-funded Community Economic Development (CED) programme is celebrating the end of its first full year of operation.

Pendle Partnership was awarded £2.68m in early 2002 from the European Regional Development Fund towards economic development.

The money will be matched by an equal amount from other public sources and the programme, ,which began in January 2002 will will run until December 2005.

To mark the first year, CED programme officer Andy Wilson and officers Ian Plested and Asfan Khan visited one of the programme's success stories, St Philips Family Support Centre in Nelson.

The centre was established with support from the Pendle Partnership and has provided subsidised childcare for children, particularly in Bradley and Whitefield,, allowing parents to return to work or education.

Mr Wilson said: "Although the programme in the North West started very late, we are pleased with the start we have made in 2002 in Pendle.

"Many excellent projects such as St Philips Family Support Centre have been funded and are beginning to make a real difference to people's lives.

"The next year will be our critical year of delivery. Much of the development has now been done and we have lots of new bids to consider.

"The funding really will make a big difference to communities in Pendle over the next three years."

CED has also funded other projects during 2002-3. These include:

The Open Door Recycling Project -- this project recycles large items of household furniture to families who cannot afford new furniture, providing job opportunities to local unemployed people.

The Five Wards Arts & Cultural Project, which is is using arts to tackle social exclusion, provide learning and employment opportunities.

Nelson Community Credit Union & Colne & District Credit Union which provides credit to people who are often turned down by mainstream lenders.

Credit unions reduce the number of people who are driven to loan sharks.

Ithaad Translation Project.

This provides a vital service to the local community, ensuring that businesses and organisations are able to communicate with their customers.