MORE than £2million in lottery funding will be used to reduce the number of young people in care.

The Big Lottery Fund money has been awarded to Lancashire County Council's life chance fund, which will help reduce the number of youngsters looked after in its social care service in Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle and Preston.

These districts have the highest number of children and young people looked after by social care.

The grant will also be used to support young people to develop skills.

County Cllr Susie Charles, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: "This funding is tremendous news.

"Demand on children's social care in Lancashire and across the whole country has increased in recent years.

"There are now over 2,000 children in care in Lancashire.

"For many, care is the best option.

"However, with this funding, we will be able to provide support to prevent a number of young people needing to be taken into care in the first place, and ensure that some people who receive care now will not need to continue to be looked after by social services in the future."