AN East Lancashire charity has been named Social Enterprise of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Pendle Action for the Community received the accolade at the E3 Business Awards held at the Macron Stadium in Bolton.

The Nelson company provides supported accommodation for homeless young people in Pendle and Rossendale youth homeless prevention services in Pendle and Burnley and domestic abuse services for adults and children.

Claire Bennett, charity manager, said she was delighted to receive the award, especially against such intense competition.

She said: “We are honoured and also amazed to win this award, particularly against such strong finalists in this category.

“Last year we were nominated for and won the Special Achievement Award, so to be nominated again and this time win the Social Enterprise award is absolutely fantastic, and more importantly it is great that the charitable and social enterprise sector are being recognised for their work at these prestigious business awards for the North West .”

Pendle Action for the Community, which was set up in 1996 to meet the needs of the borough community, also provides early family support services, counselling and life skills development and young victims services.

The award was presented by James Brayshaw, representing the award partner AdaptiveComms.

Speaking on behalf of 1Events Media, which hosted the awards, managing director Mubarak Chati said: “Pendle Action for the Community should be very proud of itself.

“In 2016, the E3 Business Awards attracted the highest number of entries, and probably the highest calibre of entries, that our judges had ever seen.

“Winning against such impressive competition really means something.

“As the host of the awards, we were left in no doubt that the North West is home to some huge talent.

“Companies, social enterprises and individual entrepreneurs are doing great things for the region’s economy, its people and its communities.

“Pendle Action for the Community is a great example of that and I’m delighted that the awards are helping it to achieve the recognition it deserves.”