A PIONEERING sports club which launched the first disabled children's football team in Lancashire has received a £5,000 boost.

Blackburn's Lammack Juniors Football Club runs weekly sessions for 250 under-18 boys and girls, including 27 young people with disabilities.

Women's magazine Candis chose the club to receive a £5,000 grant which will go towards funding six new changing rooms, at the club's home at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

Club chairman Nigel Dixon, of Montreal Road, Blackburn, said: "We are delighted to receive the money and we are very grateful to Candis for helping us to our total of £75,000.

"The improvements will enable Lammack to become a multi sport club, offering netball, basketball, tennis and cricket, as well as football to all our young people."

Founded in 1997, Lammack Juniors opened its doors to disabled children in 2004.

Candis, a subscription-only magazine, sets aside 10per cent of its sales income to support community initiatives and health-related charities across the UK.

In addition, up to £8,000 each month is available for local projects nominated by readers.

Lammack Juniors was nominated for the grant by Deborah Riley, of Kingsley Close, Blackburn, a Candis reader whose daughter Jessica plays for the club's under-13 team.

A panel from Candis meets monthly to decide who the awards will go to and selected Lammack as one of the recipients.

Other local groups to benefit from the scheme include Whittle-le-Woods Parish Council near Chorley, which received a £2,500 grant for building a new sports pavilion. Editor Debbie Attewell, said: "Lammack Juniors Football Club is doing ground-breaking work in overcoming discrimination and encouraging disabled and non-disabled children to play together.

"We're delighted our grant will kick start their fund-raising initiative.

"I wish them well in reaching their total."