AN employability project is able to expand thanks to a grant from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The Rossendale Council scheme, Rossendale Works, was initially set up for a one year trial period but due to its success it will continue into the future.

During its operation the scheme helped 80 people into activities, 27 people into employment and 32 people into placements.

Rossendale Council chief executive Stuart Sugarman said: "Rossendale Works is a grassroots approach to helping people who are struggling to find employment and it has been hugely successful.

"As an authority, we saw this as an opportunity to try to help those who were struggling to return to work for a variety of reasons.

"Those first 12 months were an experiment to see if it worked, but the project far exceeded all the targets and our expectations.

"By having faith to back Rossendale Works as a trial, the council was able to get the necessary data to show proof of concept to the Department of Work and Pensions that this scheme works and attract the funding.

"Now it has expanded and will help even more people."

The DWP East Lancashire Partnership Manager Frances Starkie said: “We are looking forward to continuing to work with the council on what is quite an innovative approach to moving people who require support to address their self-esteem, motivation and social inclusivity into activities and hopefully into work."