AN academy that will offer training to clergy and those interested in providing ministry is to be set up in Lower Darwen.

The Diocese of Blackburn has been awarded a £1.54m grant to improve deprived town centre parishes.

The funding will be spent across across a three part project, which will include a new leadership hub’ which will provide training for future and current clergymen and women.

The hub will be created in the parishes of Lower and Over Darwen and be led by St James’ Church.

Rev Tim Horobin from St James, Lower Darwen, said today: “I am thrilled at this news.

"This is great for the local communities here and will enable us to access resources to help in presenting the Gospel in culturally relevant ways. We will do this while working within the Diocese’s Vision 2026 mission to create healthy churches transforming communities.

“We will now move to set up a new training unit to help deliver fresh and innovative training to ordinands, produce urban leaders and develop alternative ways of working in and engaging with our communities to make disciples, be witnesses and grow leaders for Jesus Christ.”

The funding will also allow churches in the Grange Park area of Blackpool to continue work already under way by clergy and congregation on the estate as well as a network which will be set up across the town to help parishes support each other.

The third part of the project will also pay for 20 young people to take part in the ‘Blackpool Ministry Experience’ over the next six years.

The scheme will be open to anyone interested in providing ministry and will enable those taking part to live on the Mereside Estate, where they will work with the Freedom Church as well as nearby deprived town centre parishes.

Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev Philip North, said: “I am delighted to hear the news of the success of our application for funding.

“I believe passionately that if we are serious about the renewal of the Church we must commit ourselves afresh to proclaiming the Good News to the poor.

“This project will share the good news with people living on our urban estates by planting a number of new congregations.

“However, it will also ensure that church life is sustainable over the long term in these areas by forming quality lay and ordained leaders both from and for our estates.

“Our aim is to call and form local leaders who can be good news for their communities.”