A CHARITY which runs programmes in primary schools to educate young children about the dangers of drugs has been given £600 from Hyndburn Council's community chest scheme.

Life Education Centres will use the cash injection to buy equipment and staff the centres.

Management committee member Mervin Bonnet said: "We are very grateful to Hyndburn Council for this donation which will enable us to work with 300 primary school pupils in the borough."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Educating our future generation is a key priority, especially on topics such as drug awareness.

"Drug abuse is not a big problem in Hyndburn but in order to keep this up we need to constructively inform our youngsters of the dangers of drugs.

"The Life Education Centres work really hard to save lives and so truly deserve this money."

The council's community chest scheme was set up in 1993 and has so far awarded more than 100 grants in excess of £65,000 to community and voluntary organisations.