A GOVERNMENT cash injection of £19.5million helped lever in £104million of private investment, a new report revealed today.

But the projects set up using the Single Regeneration Budget cash failed to reach some of those who needed help most, according to the evaluation report compiled by consultants for Blackburn with Darwen's Regeneration Partnership.

The money was awarded in 1995 and was given out over a seven year period, until 2002.

It was given to Blackburn with Darwen Council with the intention of helping secure employment growth on the back of the M65 extension.

Money was also to be used to help people living in Bank Top and Higher Croft, both, Blackburn, and Sunnyhurst and Marsh House, Darwen, enjoy a better quality of life and get back into work.

And while 5,652 jobs have been created over the period of the SRB Round One programme, private consultant Cath Inchbold, of DTZ Pieda, told members of the regeneration partnership, comprising council, public and private sector representatives, that job intervention and training projects failed to reach enough of the people.

She said that despite various training and support projects, 10 per cent of Blackburn with Darwen's benefit recipients lived in the Bank Top area, suggesting that the training projects and employment opportunities could have been spent better.

She said: "There were a lot of small and medium-sized schemes and in some cases, I think they were supplier-driven rather than demand-driven.

"They failed to get to a hardcore of people who were not in employment.

"It should also be remembered that, in 1995 and 1996, colleges and training providers had not started to adapt and change and work in partnership. That has happened since."

She added that hard-to-reach groups included the over 50s, long-term unemployed and youngsters who were 'heavily disaffected.'

Andy Fawcett, for the Lancashire Learning and Skills Council, stated that he felt Blackburn had achieved more than in other areas of the county, but that training providers were working together more.

The report added that the SRB1 money had attracted a lot of new investment to the borough, possibly attracting firms from other parts of East Lancashire as well.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "This report reflects what has been done very well and also areas which can improve, and those points are taken on board."

Mike Murray, who chaired the meeting, said: "I think you only have to look at developments along the M65 to see just how successful we have been."