BURNLEY and Pendle are to receive more than £428,000 for schemes to tackle long term unemployment.

The grants are part of a £9 million Objective 3 European package for the North West.

It will focus on young people, disadvantaged groups and the promotion of equal opportunities between men and women.

The package will be matched by a further £15 million of money from private and public sectors and will aid more than 16,000 people through 145 different projects in Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester.

Not including Lancashire County and ELTEC projects, Burnley and Pendle will benefit by £428,911 for seven schemes providing help for 1,075 long term jobless.

The biggest local grant is £174,249 to Pendle Council.

A further £36,348 will go to the Communicare NHS Trust's Pendle Options Project.

Burnley Council will get £30,160 for its training and employment access point for the over 25s; £30,160 for the youth access point; employment and training charter adults, £86,468; young people, £37,059; desk top publishing and job search skills, £34,467.

Another £4 million for the region will be announced soon.

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