FYLDE Guides are jumping for joy after the borough received a welcome cash boost thanks to a £4,250 lottery award.

The money, the second award to Fylde Borough Council from the Lottery Sports Fund, will be used by the Guide Association to buy sports equipment and resource cards from a national scheme called TOPS, which encourages youngsters to develop sporting skills.

The equipment will be used from January next year, after Guide leaders across the borough have received training.

Fylde Borough Council sports development officer Ian Munro said: "The equipment will be available to Guide packs throughout the borough and will benefit more than 1000 girls.

"The TOPS scheme is usually introduced via local sports clubs and the development of the scheme through the Guides is unusual. We are informed this is the first successful application of this kind in the country."

Guide association commissioner Jacky Ramsden said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the award. Sport and fitness are an important part of the Guiding programme and this new equipment, and the sports leader training, will assist us in delivering sport to a very high standard.

"One of our aims is to help girls develop into confident, well balanced young women, and sport goes a long way to promote this.

"The thought that this is the first successful application by a local authority in partnership with the Guide Association puts the icing on the cake."

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