A COMMUNITY bank run by an East Lancashire entrepreneur has celebrated its first year with a big bash.

Run by Colne businessman Dave Fishwick, and based in Keirby Walk, Burnley, the Bank of Dave shot to fame last year with a Channel 4 series and won the backing of Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Now a second series is set to start soon and the show narrowly missed out on winning a Scottish BAFTA last week.

Mr Fishwick, who launched his own bank because he was fed up with the high street banks and wanted to help local people, said: “It has been a very interesting first year and very eventful.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved with Bank of Dave.

“We have helped local people and businesses and given profits away to local charities.

“It has been really positive. It is like one big circle. The money is staying in Lancashire but is going to charities and people who need it at the time, which is fantastic.”

Mr Fishwick was asked to present a Lifetime Achievement award at the Scottish BAFTAs to Stuart Cosgrove, a senior executive at Channel 4.

Mr Fishwick said: “We missed out on the award but it was great to be nominated, and, as I say, it isn’t where you start, it’s where you end up that counts.

“I was also humbled to be asked to present the award to Stuart Cosgrove. It was a great moment.”

Bank of Dave has also been nominated at the prestigious Broadcast Awards, to be held in London in January.

The show is up for the Best Popular Factual Programme award.