A PARISH centre manager has scooped a top business award, despite his trade suffering from the fall-out of the foot and mouth disease last year.

Michael Hall, who runs St Chad's Parish Centre in Town Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, won the Most Improved Business award in the Parish Centre Awards for the Liverpool Archdiocese, which covers Chorley.

The awards, involving 75 parish centres, recognise the work done by members of staff across the area for parish centre members and for the local community.

Yet, St Chad's Parish Centre, used as a social venue for many community groups in the area, was badly affected by the foot and mouth outbreak last year. The first case of the disease in the borough was half a mile from the centre and groups were staying away.

Michael, 35, said: "Foot and mouth hit us badly. The phone only started ringing again in the last quarter of the year.

"It put people off and they cancelled their functions. They were scared of coming so near."

But Michael has turned things around and the centre now functions as a profitable business.

Michael said: "I'm proud to receive the award. It's important to have a parish centre as it provides a focus in the community outside of the church where people can gather in less formal surroundings."

Other award nominees from Chorley include Kath Taylor, manager and Paul Whiteside assistant manager of St Mary's Parish Centre and Angela Dootson, from Sacred Heart Centre, who was nominated in the Best Cleaning Staff Member category.