TWO East Lancashire sites have received grants from Barclays SiteSavers - a scheme which aims to drive out dereliction from the North West by transforming run-down areas. The Delph Development Project in the Healey Wood area of Burnley has received £10,100 and a project in Blackburn which will improve an area of wasteland at the junction of Chatburn Street and Palatine Road, Bank Top, has received a grant of £7,000.

The Burnley project is being led by Groundwork East Lancashire but other parties are getting involved, including Burnley Council and the Countryside Commission.

Local residents will help plan the improvements, which are expected to include a nature trail, new sports pitch, youth centre and landscaping.

Shaun O'Hare of Groundwork East Lancashire said: "There has been a problem with people on motorbikes using the existing football pitch and play area. "We are trying to control access and promote it as a place where families can go to relax."

Burnley Council is to improve the footpaths round the site, some of them to bridleway standard.

Funding for the scheme is still coming in but work is expected to start in the next financial year.

In Blackburn plans for the waste site include landscaping, improved access and the creation of public art features.

The project is to be managed by Groundwork Blackburn.

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