A cash boost of £366,000 has been given to Holy Trinity Church in the St Peter’s ward of Ashton-under-Lyne.

The award, by the Big Lottery Fund, aims to help isolated local women, including those from minority ethnic communities.

The three-year programme will help provide new skills to local women and build their self-esteem.

Organisers hope it will create a stronger, more cohesive community and encourage local people to become more active in tackling community problems.

Three new jobs will be created and there are hopes that a new community centre will also be developed for local people.

The aim is for local people to gain the new skills, training and confidence they will need to be able to manage the Centre in the future.

Angela Rayner said she was delighted that Holy Trinity had been given the money to help strengthen the local community.

She said: “St Peter’s is one of the most deprived areas in my constituency and this investment will help make a real difference.

“It will reach out to local women, especially those from ethnic minorities and help give them the skills they need to play a more active role in the local community, which can only be a good thing.”