IT'S been a long struggle but Marsh residents and Lancaster pensioners took a step closer to realising their dreams this week.

European SRB money has been allocated to the Marsh to help them build a community centre and elderly folk in Lancaster are celebrating after securing money for a city centre drop-in centre.

At the Community Forum, £85,000 was allocated to the Marsh Community Centre and £40,000 to the Friendship Centre (the campaign for an old people's drop-in centre in Lancaster) from the SRB community facilities budget.

Cllr Jon Barry, who is to be a trustee of the Marsh Community Centre charitable company, said: "This is excellent news. Although we will still need to make a bid to the lottery, this is a significant amount of money towards the centre."

Tom Byrne, Chairman of the Marsh Tenants and Residents committee said: "We are grateful to the Forum for realising how important the centre is for the Marsh and the surrounding area. We very much appreciate this funding."

Cllr Barry has also been active campaigning for the pensioners drop in centre as is Chair of the Friendship Centre committee. He added: "This is a welcome start towards achieving the dream of a drop in centre. We must use this money to build up further funds so that the dream becomes a reality."

Pensioner campaigner, Flo Tuer, said: "I'm highly delighted. This will give a good boost to the campaign."

Maureen Daniels said: "I think it's terrific. We've got our foot on the first rung of the ladder. I think it's wonderful what we've got."

Planners this week also gave planning permission for the community centre. Marsh is

centre of

attention Dream moves one step closer for residents Cllr Jon Barry