AN Accrington environment centre has received almost £20,000 thanks to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The £19,975 funding boost of from the Postcode Local Trust will enable Prospects Environment Centre in Broadway to create wildlife habitats for and provide natural resources to encourage organic practices on a range of community food-growing sites.

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It is hoped that bees, ladybirds, hedgehogs, frogs and other wildlife will take up residence at the centre there in the future.

Charity manager Ian Plested said that he was delighted about the funding, which will helpenabling the charity to engage more with the community and spread the message about how to protect the environment.

He said: “The Prospects Foundation is thrilled to have received this funding support from the Postcode Local Trust which will help local groups to improve the wildlife habitats on their food-growing sites whilst helping to enhance those areas for nature to thrive.

“This is just what Prospects is all about, supporting the local community to help them protect the environment.

“There is a demand for more education around organic food-growing ideas and Prospects will be working with community groups, schools and the council, supporting them to develop food-growing areas.”

The centre will also run training and activity sessions on creating wildflower meadows, bug hotels, organic feed borders, hedgerows, fruit bushes, heritage orchards, bird boxes and bog gardens.

The project officer will organise the events and deliver some, but Specialist events will be delivered by external trainers.

AQA Unit Award Scheme Certificates will also be offered to people taking part.

Habitats on community food-growing sites will also be improved thanks to the cash boost meaning there will be more wildlife present in them and through practical events it is hoped that people will have skills to develop and manage natural habitats.

Cllr Paul Cox, Hyndburn Council’s environment boss, said he greatly admired the work that Prospects do and was pleased to hear about the funding.

He said: “I think it’s brilliant they have received this money and I think it will do a lot of good, especially if they are going to use it to get into schools and the community to and teach them about food-growing.

“I am very fond of the work this charity does, I have worked for this charity beforein the past and this money will help them as there is a great with demand for more education in food-growing.”