HERITAGE bosses today said they were desperate to spend their cash in Pendle.

More than 1,200 communities have been given more £18million of funding throughout the country but the fund has not received any applications from groups in Pendle.

Now the Countryside Agency is targeting the borough and tourism chiefs said they would be looking for any projects which might benefit from the fund.

And community groups in the borough are being encouraged to apply for thousands of pounds of cash to fund heritage projects.

Grants of £3,000 to £25,000 are available from the Countryside Agency's Local Heritage Initiative for projects highlighting archaeological, industrial, natural or cultural heritage.

Countryside Agency Local Heritage Initiative adviser for the North West Susannah England said: "We are looking for anything from archaeology to oral history, environmental projects and those which relate to customs and traditions.

"Pendle just needs someone to get the ball rolling and for a local group to apply for funding for a community-based project.

"Given its fascinating history -- its associations with the Quaker and Methodist movements, Colne and Nelson's cotton industry, the building of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and of course the famous Pendle Witches - we're surprised not to have had an application from the Pendle area.

"In addition, there are many other aspects of its history and heritage which could be explored including pre-historic finds and archaeology work. The LHI can fund natural heritage projects as well."

The programme enables smaller community groups to come up with innovative and imaginative heritage projects. The scheme will run until March 2007 and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Nationwide Building Society.

Pendle Council's tourism manager Mike Williams said: "This is a good opportunity and we will be thinking of ways in which the funding could be used."

For more information visit www.lhi.org.uk or contact Gill Woodcock on 01768 895931.