PLANS have been put forward to support 'financial inclusion' in the Valley with the award of two grants for 2014-15.

Borough council cabinet members had allocated £60,000 to provide financial advice to residents.

Rossendale Citizens Advice Bureau had asked for £53,000 and three local credit unions, Mid-Rossendale, Bacup and First Choice, had requested £20,000.

Last year the CAB was given £50,000 for core services and the credit unions were given £9,200 to train volunteers and cover marketing and running costs.

For the current financial year the CAB is expected to be given £48,000 and the credit unions £12,000.

Council officials say that the CAB’s proposed move to Stubbylee Hall should help to reduce overheads.

And the council’s business director Stuart Sugarman said that the grant for the credit unions was 30 per cent more than the current outlay and would support the recruitment of a new development worker post.