A PROJECT helping to regenerate a deprived community has been hailed for its innovate approach in a new report.

The Burnley Wood 'One Stop Shop' was studied along with seven other Groundwork projects by a team of independent researchers to assess their contribution to the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal.

And the report, which took two years to compile, said the shop was 'a classic example of how Groundwork's commitment to partnership working can both reflect local needs and also help reap substantial benefit.'

The One Stop Shop was set up in April, 2000, in a 130 year-old former church Sunday school with £50,000 from the European Regional Development Fund and a private trust. The shop gives advice on education, housing, welfare benefits, careers and jobs.

Stuart Caddy, leader of Burnley Borough Council, said: "Getting positive publicity is a welcome change. There are a lot of good things happening here, with more to come. We are pleased that Groundwork will be playing an active role in developing and delivering Burnley Task Force initiatives over the coming months."

Mike Parr, MD of Groundwork East Lancs, said: "Our focus on Burnley Wood was firmly based on finding where real needs lay and securing not just the necessary funding, but also the partners who could help achieve positive results."

Peter Wilmers, executive director of Groundwork, said: "The report has shown conclusively that we make a significant and lasting impact, especially in the most difficult neighbourhoods."

Groundwork is a federation of 45 trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, each working with partners to improve the quality of the local environment, the lives of local people and the success of local businesses.

The report was the findings of a two-year study by GFA Consulting and the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University.