EAST LANCASHIRE groups are set to be given around £100,000 to promote community cohesion.

The cash forms part of a £4.3million package announced by the government to 343 organisations across the country.

The beneficiaries in the area are Lancashire Council of Mosques, Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Council, Blackburn Youth Action Ltd, Burnley's Building Bridges, and the Losang Dragpa Buddhist Centre, Todmorden.

The money is targeted at faith groups with the hope they will find practical solutions to breaking down barriers.

Lancashire Council of Mosques was given the biggest grant in the North West - £30,000.

The cash is to be spent on a community programme aimed at young people to get them involved in spiritual and civic life.

Blackburn with Darwen Interfaith Council has been given £18,900 to fund three projects. The first is to bring youngsters together to visit places of worship.

The second project will do the same but with adults, and the third is aimed at building up resources to help teach about different religions.

Youth Action's £11,865 will fund a six month project to work with 60 young people of different faiths to produce a tool kit about what their religion is about. The kit will then be used to train others.

Building Bridges was awarded £29,625 to extend its work and explore topics not faith related.

The Losang Dragpa Buddhist Centre will use the £4,860 to explain the solutions they claim Buddism offers problems.