THE CONSORTIUM behind a multi-million pound bid for Government cash for Pendle has cleared the first hurdle.

Pendle Partnership, which brings together private and public groups in the borough, said its outline bid for Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) cash had satisfied Government officials.

The £8 million SRB cash would bring in a total investment of around £25 million including private and European cash. The application is split into two parts, one tackling problems such as health, community safety and environmental issues in the borough's urban areas.

The other bid deals with regenerating rural areas and was submitted in conjunction with Ribble Valley and Lancaster borough councils and Lancashire County Council.

The Partnership now has to submit a fuller bid early next year and a decision will be made in the spring.

Partnership chairman Dennis Mendoros said: "We're obviously delighted that our outline proposal has been encouraged and will be starting work in the New Year to produce the full bid document.

"It seems that Government Office North West is greatly impressed with the quality of the bid and the way that previous SRB bids area being delivered by the Pendle Partnership. This may well have influenced the decision.

"It has certainly come at an appropriate time. As we all know, Christmas is the season for giving and we're so pleased to have received such a present."

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