A CHARITY has launched a new project, which includes a new town centre women's refuge and homeless shelter, in a bid to help even more people in need.

The Hyndburn Project, which runs a number of charity shops in Accrington, Clayton-le-Moors and Great Harwood offers refurbished appliances and furniture at low cost for those on the breadline.

The charity, which also helps low income families go on holiday to the seaside, has now opened a new charity shop in Blackburn town centre under the guise of the Blackburn with Darwen Project.

The charity founder Joseph McMurrough said as well as having a charity shop, his new base in Railway Road will also include a women’s refuge and homeless centre.

Mr McMurrough, said: “This is the first centre to open in Blackburn.

“We are doing the same thing as we have done in with The Hyndburn Project."

The three-storey centre will offer emergency accommodation for homeless women and children.

As well as caravan breaks to the seaside.

More than 6,000 people have been taken on day trips across the country as part of the charity's fundraising work in Hyndburn.

Mr McMurrough said: “I am planning to set up another trip to take people from Blackburn to Blackpool for a day out which we will be charging just £4 for.

“That’s much cheaper than getting a train ticket which would cost more than £10.”

The father-of-three started the Hyndburn Project three years ago and said he wanted to set up nine stores across the borough.

Mr McMurrough said: “I am closing a couple of stores in Accrington because the bus station moved to the other side of town.

“Although we are closing three stores, we still have five based in Accrington and one in Great Harwood .

“We are also hoping for some funding from Blackburn with Darwen Council to build a new shelter above the store.

“We will be launching an enquiry at some point in the future.

“We are also planning to open another centre in Burnley next year.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council's regeneration boss, said: “It sounds like a good project and it clearly is going to be a help to those people in the borough who need that kind of assistance.”