SEVERAL large organisations in East Lancashire have lost out in their bids to play a greater role in the ‘Big Society’.

Government ministers insist that the voluntary, community and faith sectors can shoulder the burden of increased responsibility in the midst of the ongoing cuts programme.

But the latest round of funding from the county council's ‘gateway’ grants scheme has seen a number of bids from the sector turned down.

Council for Voluntary Service groups in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, were turned down for £37,000 and more than £48,000 respectively.

The Burnley bid was rejected because the organisation has substantial reserves and the Hyndburn application was dismissed as ‘weak’.

Elsewhere a £43,873 request from Lancashire Council of Mosques was rejected, amid concerns about the organisation's accounts.

Smaller grants were awarded to East Lancashire Community Action Project (£23,046) and countywide ethnic minority forums.

But of the £876,000 applied for, from the £454,000 budget, only £242,000 will be paid out this year.