ENVIRONMENTAL projects in the Ribble Valley could be given a cash boost following the allocation of extra funding.

The Lancashire Local network in the borough has been awarded nearly £25,000 from the county council's climate change fund.

The money is earmarked for projects looking to enhance their green credentials, and a decision on where the money goes will be made at the end of January.

County Councillor Chris Holtom, who is chairman of Lancashire Local Ribble Valley, said the extra cash would be crucial in promoting environmentally friendly projects.

He said: "We have been given £24,773 and it allows us to distribute it to schemes through the Lancashire Local network.

"It is important that we try to reduce or eradicate the affects of climate change in our area and this will allow us to meet that challenge.

"Anybody can apply and it is a new stream of grant money that I think is a really positive step.

"There is an urgency to all of this because the grants have to be determined by the end of January. We have a meeting in Whalley on January 9 when the grants will be considered so the applications really need to be in by then."

Coun Holtom referred to the example of a community centre wanting money for solar panels as a prime example of the type of initiative the fund would provide money for.

And he said it was important that people were of the funding on offer to them.

He added: "This is one of two or three grant streams that people need to know are on offer to them and that they can ask for."

If you are interested in getting money for an environmental project in Ribble Valley ring 01254 825641.