IT was the news they had all been waiting for.

Nearly 13,000 carers in a Hampshire community are breathing a huge sigh of relief today after the charity that supports them was handed a massive £325,000 lottery lifeline.

One Community Carers Centre in Eastleigh relies on grants from the Big Lottery Fund – and staff were sweating on whether their hard work would receive fresh backing.

Their three-year £300,000 grant from the same body was nearly at an end but now the charity has received confirmation that a new and bigger lump sum is on its way so they can continue their vital role.

The centre provides information and support services for an estimated 12,720 carers in the borough of Eastleigh, some of whom are aged just eight.

It will also mean carers young and old can look forward to crucial advice, counselling, social gatherings, respite breaks and drop-in sessions over the next 36 months.

Lucy Sams, the carers centre manager, said: “We are very fortunate to have received this funding for another three years so we can continue to support local people caring for loved ones, especially in the current economic climate, where people are going to be needing even more information and access to services.”

Jo Newcome, manager of Eastleigh Young C a r e r s , added: “This is great news, the funding is a fantastic boost and means carers can continue to receive the support offered by One Community Carers Centre and allow us to identify many more struggling and hidden carers in Eastleigh.”

One Community was established in 1978 and is an independent voluntary service for the Eastleigh area providing voluntary sector support, community development, day care, information and transport in the borough and beyond.