FUNDING of more than half-a-million pounds has been secured by a family support charity.

Home Start Rossendale, Burnley and Hyndburn have secured £630,000 to support two schemes, the plus project and the needs first project.

The initiatives work with children aged five to 13 years and under fives respectively to help improve mental health, education and attainment.

The Big Lottery funding will be given to the charity over a three year period.

Mary Buchanan, chairwoman of the charity said: "There is so much research proving the long-term benefits of supporting children in the early years to get the best possible start in life.

"We are delighted that the Big Lottery has agreed to support our work so that we can extend our services.

"The Plus project will make our services available to larger number of families, and Needs First funding will allow us develop group working and will offer families more choice of how they access our services."

Scheme manager Emma Heinicke said: "As an organisation entirely reliant upon charitable donations, securing this funding means we can continue to support vulnerable children right from the start.

"Our trained volunteers offer invaluable support to families."