TWO Pendle job creation schemes which would have been forced to close by Christmas because of lack of funding, have been saved by a £127,000 cash injection.

The money is part of a £180,000 boost for employment initiatives in the borough, announced today.

At risk were Tackling Unemployment, a scheme to help long-term unemployed get back to work and Every Opportunity for Women which offers help and advice to women who want to set up their own business, get a job or take a course.

Their joint bid for help was successful after Pendle Partnership secured the cash from Single Regeneration Budget and the European Social Fund.

The Partnership agency, which manages SRB cash in the borough, also won a £50,000 injection for the Pendle Enterprise Project.

The project helps young people to work under the New Deal Initiative through a series of environmental work projects.

Tim Cohen, Employment and Community Initiatives manager with Tackling Unemployment said: "This is a very welcome boost for the borough.

"Helping people back to work is a crucial part of the effort to regenerate the area.

"I am delighted that once again Europe has demonstrated its continuing commitment to the people of Pendle."