AN action group working to restore Darwen’s heritage is celebrating a £10,000 Christmas present.

The Friends of Darwen Cemetery group has been granted the money from the Awards for All Big Lottery Fund.

The group, which launched in March to restore the dilapidated Darwen Old Cemetery, said the money would help them comp-lete a nature and memorial garden to be used by youngsters.

Previously, the volunteers have been award-ed £5,950, which was then matched by Darwen and Rural Neighbourhood Board.

Group secretary Rosemary Jackson said she was ‘really excited’ about the funding news.

She said: “The money will be spent on transforming an old rose garden in the cemetery that has been allowed to bec-ome dilapidated.

“We will be working on putting paths in and plants that encourage wildlife such as birds and bees.

"We are thinking of getting the RSPB in to do bird counts with local children, and people from Lancashire Wildlife Trust to do bat walks.

“The garden will be a focal point for the community to learn about nature, and also a place to reflect on loved ones.”

Chairman of the group Coun John East said: “I am delighted with further funding from Awards For All to develop our ongoing community projects involving members of the local community, especially young people.”

The project is one of a wide range of beneficiaries receiving good news this Christmas.

In all, 109 groups across the North West are celebrating a total funding pot of close to £896,000.

Helen Bullough, of the Big Lottery said: “These projects will make a real difference to communities across the North West.”

Coun East said a total of £200,000 would be needed to completely restore the cemetery and re-erect toppled headstones, and it was likely to take five years to complete.