A YOUTH club project for disabled teens has been expanded to offer better facilities and activities after a £20,000 funding windfall.

The Accrington-based SNAP, or Special Needs Activity Programme project at New Era centre will be able to continue for 12 months following the successful bid for funding.

Youngsters will also benefit from specialised music and sports instructors as a result of cash from Lancashire County Council. The funding will enable the project to continue twice a week in Accrington and has also secured a newly-launched off-shoot group in the Ribble Valley.

The group, initially set up 20 years ago by Hyndburn parents and volunteers has for the first time received dedicated funding as part of a contract from Lancashire County Council's Young People's Service (YPS).

Laura Robinson, 54, of Evesham Close, Accrington, takes her son Dario to the group every Friday, and sais the project is ‘a lifeline’.

She said: “It gives the kids, and the parents, a break and they can be themselves and learn to interact.

“It is a lifeline for me and Dario. He is 12 and there isn’t much for children of his age. I am really pleased for Dario and the children that use the facility that they have secured funding. They all seem to really enjoy it.”

Lucy Hamlin, SNAP project manager, said: "It’s so important for our youngsters that we keep going. We aren’t so different from other youth clubs but our members feel more accepted here. Now we can expand the projects and offer much more activities.

“Over the past six months, we have worked to develop the existing SNAP project in Hyndburn to provide targeted services for young people with learning difficulties and to also work with a small group of young people in the Ribble Valley."

The project has been welcomed by schools, East Lancashire Primary Care Trust, Parent Forums and the YPS. County Councillor for young people Mark Perks and Chair of New Era Trust, said: "The work SNAP delivers for young people at our centre is of a high quality and specialist provision. I am delighted the group has secured this funding which will see the activity programme continued."

Liz Pilkington, New Era Centre Manager, said: “The enjoyment of young people who attend SNAP is evident. It is great that support has been given to young people who often don’t access any other provision"

The SNAP project currently meets at New Era Complex, Paradise Street, Accrington on Tuesday evenings 6.30pm - 8pm and Friday evenings 7pm - 8.30pm and at Clitheroe youth Centre, Wesleyan Rows, Clitheroe on Monday evenings 6.30pm - 8.30pm.