EURO cash has helped brighten up a town centre spot and give work to young unemployed people.

Money from the European Social Fund has helped pay for a tree-planting scheme in Bottomgate, Blackburn.

And the scheme, which is also backed by City Challenge, Blackburn Council and Groundwork Blackburn, gives practical training to young unemployed people from the City Challenge area.

The team of young people, known as the Green Gang are given NVQ training in amenity horticulture with expert help from staff at Groundwork Blackburn.

They put that to good use when they planted a number of semi-mature trees and installed attractive wrought iron tree gates around them.

Chris Coldwell, project officer from Blackburn Borough Council said: "This latest work was carried out by our third Green Gang team.

"The scheme has already proved successful because the last Green Gang team have all gone on to find employment. This proves the value of learning practical skills."

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