A CHARITY has opened a restaurant to help safeguard its services in the face of funding cuts.

Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service launched the Olive Branch Restaurant yesterday within a recently-built wing of the extra care Kingsway sheltered accommodation complex in Greenhurst Place, Blackburn.

Bosses said the facility had been set up to provide tasty, high quality, affordable food and help the service tackle a 15 per cent funding defecit.

Sam Morris, Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service chief executive, was one of 15 leaders from the two towns who signed a joint letter to the government earlier this month blasting local spending cuts.

However, she said she believed the new restaurant would provide the charity with a sustainable income, and enable it to continue providing much needed services to unpaid carers across the borough.

She said: “We had a 15 per cent cut in funding, but have received increased support from Blackburn with Darwen Council and NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus.

“We’re really excited about the new restaurant and look forward to continuing to provide a service to carers who are so in need of our support.

“We encourage people to come and visit the restaurant, because even the purchase of a cup of tea or coffee will help to support the work of our charity.”

Diners will be able to enjoy breakfast and lunches and a wide range of affordable meals within the Housing 21 “extra care” centre at the former Blackburn Ragged School site.

One full-time chef has been employed, and the charity is looking to appoint an assistant as well as recruiting volunteer helpers.

Details on how much the charity hopes to raise through the restaurant have not been revealed.

For more information or to book a table, contact the carers service on 01254 688440.