CHORLEY pensioners could soon benefit from fresh council funding.

A new Community Development Fund -- set up by Lancashire County Council's social services committee -- will provide finance with the aim of helping older people stay in their own homes.

Up to £150,000 will be given as grants to organisations across Lancashire who help pensioners living in the community.

Grants will be awarded to a maximum of £10,000 and could be used to meet various costs, including setting up a new scheme, or buying equipment such as computers, small tools, and vehicles.

County councillor Miss Doreen Pollitt, chairman of the social services Committee, welcomed the initiative and said she hoped many groups would benefit from the fund.

"Increasingly older people are wanting to remain in their own home within the community rather than entering residential care," she said.

"And we want to support them through voluntary groups in the community.

"However, a great many voluntary groups find bidding for conventional grants difficult because they cannot raise the match funding needed.

"This new Community Development Fund will offer one-off grants that do not require any further funding input from the recipients.

"I would encourage any voluntary group with ideas for small projects which will help support older people in their own home to get in touch with us in order for them to find out exactly how they can apply for funding grants."

Voluntary organisations can write for an application form to the Social Services Directorate, Head of Finance and Administration, FAO Janet Pallow, PO BOX 162, East Cliff County Office, Preston, PR1 3EA.

The closing date for completed applications is December 1 this year.