THE county council has been successful in its bid for nearly £200,000 from the European Social Fund to help train care service staff in the private and voluntary sector.

The money, alongside funds from Social Services and training Organisation for the Personal Social Services (TOPSS) North West, will fund a project to provide training to over 300 staff employed in care services in small to medium size organisations across Lancashire.

The training will be provided by the Care Sector Trust and Social Services staff.

A spokesman for Lancashire Social Services said: "The county council is committed to improving the quality of care services in Lancashire. This money will help people, especially women, working in care services in the private and voluntary sector, get training and qualifications.

"Better trained staff means higher quality care".