Clitheroe Castle

COUNCIL leaders are jubilant following the announcement of a £150,000 cash boost for the Clitheroe Castle Heritage Scheme.

Community group Clitheroe the Future has successfully secured the funds from the SITA Trust via the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

The £3.2million Clitheroe Castle Heritage Scheme, which is the brainchild of Ribble Valley Borough Council, aims to turn Clitheroe Castle into a premier attraction. The scheme has already attracted £2million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £250,000 from The North West Development Agency, also via Clitheroe the Future.

Richard Jackson, project manager for Clitheroe the Future, said: "We are delighted that we have been able to access this money, which will help bridge the shortfall. Additional funding for the project is still needed and we will be working closely with Ribble Valley Borough Council to pursue every opportunity to find the necessary money."

Robert Thompson, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council's Community Committee, added: "This is fantastic news and we are absolutely delighted. We are grateful to Clitheroe the Future for their unceasing support in this major project."

The drive is now on to raise the rest of the cash via community group Keepers of the Castle and public and private funding.

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