One lucky charity has been furnished with a £1,000 cash boost - thanks to the Accrington Observer.

Hyndburn Used Furniture has been named as the winner of the Vodafone Community Connection Award after gaining the most public votes.

A clutch of local charities - including members of Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and the 1st Oswaldtwistle (St Paul’s) Beavers and Cubs - applied for the cash prize.

We asked out readers to vote for the charity, group or club that they thought was most deserving of a cash boost.

But only one could be crowned as the winner.

Hyndburn Used Furniture bosses plan to use the money to buy waterproof clothing for its volunteers to keep them warm outside during the winter months.

Manager Lisa Allen said she was overwhelmed and delighted that the charity had won the prize.

She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic and it means our volunteers can stay warm and dry.

“They spend all day collecting bulky items around Hyndburn and Rossendale so it is greatly appreciated.

“We support lots of people in need and our volunteers come from everywhere from the job centre to the probation service.

“This is a really big boost for us. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us.”

The charity works to prevent landfill by recycling furniture and white goods.

It also helps volunteers and people usually socially excluded to gain work experience.

Vodafone offered the Community Connection Award to celebrate the opening of its new store in Accrington Arndale Centre.

Accrington Observer editor Gareth Tidman said: “All the charities and groups were very deserving of the cash but congratulations go to the staff at Hyndburn Used Furniture.”