PLANS to regenerate Padiham have been given a cash boost by Burnley Council.

The council's executive committee agreed a contribution of £16,685 towards Padiham Life's bid to the North West Development Agency.

The NWDA invited the group, formed to oversee the economic regeneration of the town through the North West Market Towns programme, to bid for cash.

More than £2million could be available from the NWDA over five years.

The cash from the council will be used as match funding to encourage the NWDA to grant money to implement the first phase of an action plan drawn up by Padiham Life as part of the regeneration programme.

Projects in the first phase include a tourism marketing strategy, feasibility studies into improving the shopping area and the market and establishing a community and business centre.