KEEP up the good work was the message relayed by local dignitaries at the seventh anniversary celebrations of South West Burnley Community Development Trust.

An open day, attended by the leader of Burnley Borough Council, Stuart Caddy and the town's MP, Peter Pike, was held at the South West Burnley Community Centre in Valley Street.

The trust has been funded by grants from the government's Single Regeneration Budget, the National Lottery Fund and various charitable trusts.

Mr Pike, who has helped serve up food in the Community Centre cafe in the past and was also once a councillor for nearby Coal Clough, said: "The trust provides a focal point for the people of Burnley and has provided many worthwhile projects in the past."

The charity appointed youth outreach workers and a community development worker, Sharon Swindells, to develop ways of encouraging young people to make decisions about their own lives and enable excluded young people to be re-integrated into society.

Sharon said: "The open day is an opportunity for local people to look back on the work undertaken by the trust and other agencies in their area and to consider the difference the trust has made to their lives.

"I think everyone will be impressed at just what has been achieved by us on what could be described as a 'shoestring' budget.

"In many areas of our work we have been pioneers, and the present government is now making available substantial amounts of money in order to mainstream any areas of our work."

John Verity is a member of East Lancashire Lifeline, a drugs charity which works with young people educating them about the dangers of, and alternatives to, drugs.

He said: "The trust provides us with a good way of meeting young people and other organisations similar to ourselves."

Coun Caddy has worked closely with the trust since its inception. He said: "The work for the people of Burnley has been fantastic. The cafe not only provides a meeting place but also promotes healthy eating.

He went on to praise the work the trust does with young people and the volunteers who make it all possible. "The volunteers in Burnley are the best in the country.

"Their commitment is unmatched."

Before moving to the Valley Street centre, the trust was based at Parkside Methodist Church, Cog Lane.