A SAMBA band is hoping to drum up support for National Volunteers' Week, which starts on Friday.

Blackburn with Darwen Volunteer Bureau will be manning the volunteer bus under Blackburn town centre clock outside BHS between 9am and 4pm on Friday while the band plays lively South American dance music.

Bureau staff and volunteers will provide information to shoppers about the hundreds of voluntary work opportunities available to them.

Volunteers will explain how their work has a positive impact on the lives of those they have helped -- and also on their own.

Working without financial reward has given many enjoyment, fulfilment, enabled them to gain skills and in some cases to find paid employment.

Paul O'Neill, who volunteered at a local community centre by organising discos, teaching children how to make music on computers and offering guidance as a role model, said: "Now I go home at night with a sense of achievement, knowing I have made a difference."

Election Day --Thursday, June 7 -- is a Volunteer Bureau open day for any members of the public to drop in for volunteering information from 10am-2pm at 63 St James's Street, Blackburn (tel 01254 694113).

This will continue on a regular weekly basis.