FORTY projects have so far been agreed to regenerate Haslingden and improve security and living conditions in the town.

A total of 101 projects will be undertaken by the Action for Haslingden Partnership working with the public, private, voluntary and community sectors over the next five years.

The partnership secured £10.9m from the Government and it is predicted that will attract a further £40m from Europe, the private sector and lottery bids which will hopefully lead to the creation of 1,000 new jobs.

Managing director Sally Collins said: "We should be able to make a huge impact on Haslingden in five years with this amount of money.

"It is about revitalising the town in all different areas not just economic or financial and not just training it is an holistic approach to regeneration."

The team's first project, a car for special constables, was provided in April. Further schemes involving the police include crime prevention seminars and leaflet drops aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime.

In association with Rossendale Council, window locks and door locks are being fitted for people aged under and over 55.

Thanks to the partnership's involvement the Citizens' Advice Bureau now has a debt counsellor, the credit union has a full-time development worker and Age Concern has been able to extend the hours of worker dealing with developing services for the elders of the Ethnic minority.

With North West Water and Rossendale Council, a £2m scheme is being undertaken to replace lead water service pipes which are still in many homes in Haslingden.

Rossendale Enterprise Trust now holds fortnightly advice surgery in the Natwest Bank on Deardengate and several training projects are being run by the East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council. Grants have been made available to help small businesses and tomorrow Rossendale Groundwork will host an environmental awareness seminar for 20 local businesses at Medex Medical.

A care and repair scheme to help the elderly stay in their own homes has been backed and energy efficiency grants are available to help people on benefits make their homes better insulated.

The team has appointed a community link worker, Beth Logan, who is assigned to setting up specialist interest groups and a community forum two members of which will sit on the board of the partnership.

Sally added: "When the money was won it then had to be translated into delivery plans. Some people have said they have seen little for the money, but it takes time to get projects approved and agreed and now things are moving."

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