A GREEN-FINGERED group involved in ground-breaking work with young offenders has been given a £500 grant - with a little help from the Preston Citizen.

Last November, we highlighted a unique scheme in which the Frenchwood Allotment Association teamed up with Lancashire Probation Service to clean up the land.

Offenders on probation paid the price for their crimes by clearing up derelict ground to make more plots for residents.

The cash boost for the Association comes after a plea was made to the county council - and our exclusive article was put forward as part of the application.

Delighted FAA Secretary Mick Moulding said: "We'd like to say a big thank-you to the Citizen for highlighting our work. We fund ourselves and don't usually get any outside assistance so this should go a long way."

The money was part of the Lancashire Environmental Action Fund which gives grants to groups carrying out green projects. The scheme will eventually lead to the creation of 30 new allotment plots.

Allotment holders at Frenchwood celebrated for a second time this week when councillors gave permission for lower rent rates of £5.

Bosses at the self-managed site have called for lower charges to encourage more pensioners and unemployed people to run plots.

Mr Moulding said: "This is excellent news."

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