A SCHEME which provides the needy people of Pendle with furniture and employment has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in the Sefton Works, in Shed Street, Colne, last September.

The Open Door furniture recycling scheme benefited from £90,000 of funding from Pendle Partnership's SRB5 programme and has already received more than 1,600 items.

Furniture and household goods are delivered across the borough and between last November and July the project has provided much needed furniture and household goods to the homes of more than 450 local people.

Open Door administrator Nicola Beech said: "We provide an invaluable service for local residents who cannot afford to furnish their homes. There is no other scheme like this in Pendle and it meets a very real need."

The scheme has also provided work and training for unemployed people such as 22-year-old Aftab Ali, who was umemployed for two years before joining the Open Door team. He has recently gained a NVQ Level Two in lifting and warehouse distribution.

He said: "I've enjoyed working as part of a team and have met a lot of new people. I've learned how to do paperwork including making out receipts and booking in goods and have also been responsible for the training of new volunteers.

"When I deliver to residents they're always very happy to see me as most of the places I go to don't have any furniture. They're usually in urgent need."

Anyone interested in donating furniture or becoming a volunteer should contact Open Door on 01282 869596.