LANCASHIRE has been chosen to take part in a new government pilot project to help people who have to self-isolate and stay at home.

The scheme will see £2.5million made available to Blackburn with Darwen borough, Blackpool Council and the 12 county council districts including Hyndburn, Burnley, Ribble Valley, Pendle and Rossendale

The cash will assist residents with self-isolation after receiving a positive Covid test result or have to self-isolate following contact with someone who has had one.

It is separate to the existing financial support for self-isolation and is focused on other areas in which people need help.

Lancashire is one of nine areas nationally to receive this grant which will go towards a range of new plans to help families and individuals self-isolate in a safer and easier way.

The self-isolation pilot programme also aims to improve the response to local outbreaks.

This will include hyper-local support services, signposting to possible financial support and wider contract tracing.

Paul Fleming, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s strategic director for resources who led the bid for Lancashire, said: "We are really pleased to have been awarded this funding,

"It will let us look at how best we can respond to the challenges for individuals and families who have to self-isolate.

"We are working hard in our new project group and will be able to announce some more details very soon.

"It will hopefully help us to make the often difficult period of self-isolation easier and simpler for people .”