HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds are still up for grabs by anyone with a grand idea for brightening up the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Time is running out for people to bid for a share of £300,000 for projects which will help put Pendle on the map as a tourist destination, as well as improving the canal between Brierfield, Bradley and Whitefield. Applications close on April 1.

The fund was launched by Pendle Partnership, a group of civic and business leaders set up to bring regeneration cash into the area.

Money has come from the National Lottery and North West Development Agency, and successful projects would need to match their grant from the fund.

Organisers are looking for three, or four, imaginative projects which will improve the canal and reflect the area. But, so far, no-one has come forward with ideas for using the cash.

Vaughan Jones, manager of Pendle Council's Employment and Community Initiatives, said: "I am sure that there are enough people in Pendle with the vision, imagination and determination to regenerate the canal in Nelson and Brierfield.

"We need to see this stretch of canal as a place to be proud of, and to be enjoyed by local people.

"With the right projects, we can simply transform this stretch of canal and create a talking point for the whole of East Lancashire."

The fund has been launched on the back of the small projects fund which helped 13 community-led environmental projects in the same three wards.

These include Tool Share, the Tacklers' Trails Heritage Trail, improvements to Quarry Hill Nature Reserve which could eventually help it become an official local nature reserve, improvements to the canalside in Salterforth, as well as assistance for community allotments in Bradley, Brierfield, and Barnoldswick.

Canal Corridor Project co-ordinator Tricia Wilson said: "We want to hear from anyone with a good idea for regenerating the canal.

Local businesses are being encouraged to consider providing some financial support to match-fund the projects that go ahead.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact on the canal at Brierfield, Whitefield and Bradley. I urge local community and voluntary organisations to put forward ideas."

Anyone with an idea for how to use the money should submit an expression of interest form by April 1. For more information contact Tricia on 01282 661964, or e-mail tricia. wilson@pendle.gov.uk