TOWNS across East Lancashire could soon be forging closer links with Europe with the help of millions of pounds of EC cash.

A whopping £340 million is available to help towns with populations under 100,000 throughout Europe to co-operate.

Lancashire Central Euro-MP Mark Hendrick said: "These grants aim to encourage partnership and co-operation between towns and regions across Europe.

"I hope that, under the new rules, Lancashire towns will be among the first to benefit. Many of our towns already have a natural link with Europe through twinning associations and I urge them to make the most of this opportunity to further those links.

"The whole idea behind this scheme is to give a boost to local partnerships and to get local authorities across Europe to link up by removing the barriers for smaller local and regional authorities to co-operate."

However, Mr Hendrick accused the Government of trying to meddle in the distribution of the grants by involving UK civil servants in the selection process.

"This scheme is one of the few run for local areas which does not involve Government red tape and bureaucracy," Mr Hendrick added.

"Local authorities make their applications directly to a Brussels management committee which often includes representatives from local authorities, ensuring that the best and most innovative projects get funding."

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