‘VITAL’ refurbishments to Trawden Forest Community Centre can go ahead after a group of volunteers received a grant of more than £28,000.

The money, from the Asda Foundation, will be used to rewire the Church Street building, as well as revamp the kitchen, install new flooring and seating as well as redecorating.

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The centre was taken on by the volunteers around two years ago from Pendle Council.

Chairman Steve Wilcocks said: “Once the refurbishments have finished we will have a fantastic looking centre and be able to do a lot more inside.

“When we took it over it was in a poor condition, we had to do a lot of repair works to its exterior which sadly left us with no money.

“We struggled at Christmas when we had 70 people in for a festive dinner because the kitchen just wasn’t suitable.

“The seats and flooring are around 40 years old so they need replacing.

“I cannot wait to see what it will look like.”

More than 400 people pass through the centres doors on a weekly basis including from Beavers, Cubs and charities as well as community and exercise groups.

Julie Ward, Asda Foundation senior manager, said: “We see the foundation as one of the many ways to give something back to the communities that support us.

“That’s why we lend a hand to the wide range of good causes with which our colleagues are involved, sharing their passion and helping to make a difference through a variety of projects across the UK.

“Supporting local applications such as Trawden Forest Community Centre is really important to us.

“We hope it will make a real difference within the local community in Trawden and beyond.”

Mr Wilcocks said the community centre plays a big part in Trawden.

He said: “So many people are involved with the building in one way or another.

“That’s why it was so important to get a grant like this because it will have a positive effect on so many people.

“It is incredibly beneficial to us as a community to work with and be supported by local businesses such as Asda.”

Set up in 1988, the Asda Foundation is a registered charity that aims to have a positive impact on local communities, making grants to provide support to a range of good causes, chosen by the supermarket.