HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds of European cash has been won to help East Lancashire's long term unemployed get back to work.

The region has won more than £500,000 to support a range of projects out of a £9 million package across the North West.

The funding is from the European Social Fund Objective Three programme which aims to combat long-term unemployment among the young and disadvantaged.

North West grants are expected to be matched by £15 million funding from the public and private sectors.

The East Lancs training & Enterprise Council has been awarded the bulk of the money locally. It will receive £375,000 to help those who face special difficulties looking for work. "We are well aware that there are still people who find it hard to choose a career and get through the process of applications and interviews," said ELTEC's training operations director Dave Williams.

"There are excellent projects in the area to start them off on NVQ training programmes and generally prepare for work. This grant will help us continue and expand these projects."

Those which will benefit from the cash include literacy and numeracy courses, work experience and counselling.

Accrington & Rossendale College has also been awarded more than £50,000 for recruitment and training courses and Enterprise plc and Lancashire County Council more than £300,000 for projects.

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