One of the most valuable heritage charities in East Lancashire has been given a crucial lifeline thanks to a major Government scheme.

The Barrowford-based Heritage Trust for the North West has been awarded £187,600 after successfully applying to the Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, set up to help the country’s cultural gems survive the coronavirus pandemic.

Conservative MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson, said he was delighted at the award and how the money would protect a vital part of the area’s heritage as well as protecting local jobs.

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Mr Stephenson said: “The Heritage Trust for the North West is such a major part of the heritage of Barrowford, Pendle and the whole North West.

"I am thrilled this money will help it weather the Covid storm and be therefore for future generations to enjoy.

“Not only can we learn so much and gain so much insight from our heritage, but it also provides jobs and a boost for the local economy in many ways.

“And as we get through this unprecedented pandemic, places like Heritage Trust for the North West and the tremendous work done there can undoubtedly play a part in our recovery."

On Friday more than £67m was shared among 433 successful applicants from across England to help with key repair and maintenance work, and help sites such as museums, buildings and monuments operate and recover.

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Also benefitting from the fund is the Hoghton Tower Preservation Trust, which was awarded £106,700 to secure the ongoing maintenance of the Grade I listed building and its gardens and cover some of the essential fixed overheads.

Chair of the board of trustees, Elena Faraoni, said: “We are grateful to the Government for its commitment to our heritage and are delighted to have been granted support from the Cultural Recovery Fund.

"Hoghton Tower closed in March to visitors and events, losing all revenue sources overnight and unable to cover the inevitably high overhead costs needed to maintain a historically significant Grade I listed building.

"The funding will allow us to continue ongoing maintenance and preservation of Hoghton Tower using specialist tradesmen who are key to the overall heritage sector.

"The grant will not only enable our small, dynamic organisation to survive this crisis but to improve, modernise and adapt our business plan to life in the times of Covid-19.

"The investment in digitisation will make us more efficient and enable us to reach new audiences not normally engaged with heritage."

The CRF is funded by the Government and delivered by heritage experts to support organisations in England that are local and national treasures but have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic

The package of support is the first round of the Government's £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund, which will be dished out to almost 450 heritage organisations across the country.

Around 12 organisations, including English Heritage, the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust will also share £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to preserve visitor attractions.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past.

"This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounce-back post covid.”