ALMOST £72,000 is to be shared by 12 East Lancashire groups in the latest Big Lottery Fund giveaway.

The £71,868 cash, from the lottery's Awards for All scheme will go to community groups as diverse as the Rossendale Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Group, and Blackburn's business start-up support group Enterprise4all.

A total of £913,949 is being distributed among 132 groups across the North West in grants of between £300 and £10,000.

Enterprise4all was given £9,436 to further its advice and information service for start-up businesses, which will be spent on training staff to fulfil the highest level of government accreditation for business advisers.

Senior business adviser Zynul Ahmed said: "This will bring all our staff to a very high standard, and allow us to do a lot more for our clients in the future."

Burnley and Pendle Cheerleading, which attracts members from all over Lancashire, was given £5,000 to spend on improving gymnastic flooring for the practice area.

Group leader Michelle Williamson said: "We're totally thrilled.

"It took us a while to get the bid approved, but we really want to get the floor up to standard so the girls can practise properly.

"We've only had mats so far.

"It means a lot to the girls - we're going to have an open day to celebrate."

Colne Park High School was given £5,000 towards a new trampoline for the school's trampolining club.

Michelle McNamee, North West head of the Big Lottery Fund, said: "A tremendous range of vital projects in the community will be delighted to get the funding they so desperately need, and countless people in the North West will reap the rewards."

Other beneficiaries were:

  • Ribblesdale Wanderers Cricket and Bowling Club, £8,892
  • Rossendale Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Group, £10,000
  • Rossendale United Junior Football Club, £9,958
  • Burnley Rural Community Partnership Trust, £4,750
  • Burnley Lane Action Group Youth Group, £5,000
  • Higham St John's C of E Primary School, £3,690
  • Friends of Laneshawbridge Primary School, £7,642
  • Broadfield Special School, Accrington, £2,500.