SCORES of community groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have hit the lottery jackpot after being awarded tens of thousands of pounds for special projects.

More than £800,000 has been handed out to organisations in the south as part of the Awards for All initiative.

The grants, which range from £500 to £5,000, have been given to various groups, including sports clubs and schools.

Awards for All senior awards officer Phil Stevens says: "We are very pleased to continue to receive applications for lottery funding from very small neighbourhood groups and local organisations running projects which help local people. At the moment each application has a one in two chance of success, so it is really worth having a go."

The Awards for All lottery scheme provides cash for hundreds of community based organisations across the country every year.

Youngsters at a new Southampton sports club are among those celebrating the latest round of grants.

Northside Amateur Boxing Club, which was launched at Cantell Sports Centre in Bassett in January, has been given £4,400 to buy new equipment and cover coaching costs. The group was set up by Southampton University for youngsters at risk of offending or on anti-social behaviour bonds.

Community sports development officer Becky Dance said: "This is fantastic for the club as it's something that has just started out.

"Keeping something like this up and running in its early stages can be very difficult.

"This will be a real confidence boost and the new equipment will make it a lot more attractive and hopefully attract even more youngsters along."

Organisations and community groups interested in getting more details on the grants should visit www.awardsforall.org.uk.

Grant recipients

New Forest 15th Milford and Keyhaven Sea Scout Group £5,000 - developing sailing activities. 17th New Forest South (Hordle) Scout Group £4,000 - kitchen facilities and purchasing a mess tent. Ashley Junior School £1,000 - after-school cricket club. Bransgore Primary School £1,000 - cricket training. Brockenhurst Primary School £1,000 - cricket training. Copythorne Parish Hall Management Committee £ 5,000 - disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. New Forest And Romsey Mobile Community Project £ 4,800 - storytelling festival. Thorney Hill Community Centre Association £5,000 - new equipment for after-school club. Tiptoe Primary School £1,000 - Cricket training. Victoria Rooms Trust £4,350 - kitchen facilities for community hall.

Divaz Basketball Club at Sholing Technology College £4,169 - equipment and coaching for under-16 girls. Eastleigh RFC Junior and Mini Section £3,650 - rugby sessions for youngsters at risk of offending. Hornet Puck Hockey Club at St Mary's Leisure Centre £2,290 - setting up an under-14s roller hockey club. Northside Amateur Boxing Club, Bassett, £4,400 - new equipment. St Mary's Festival £900 - drumming workshops for children. Test Valley Andover Museum Loft Singers £4,680 - music workshops. Andover Rugby Football Club £5,000 - train volunteer coaches, set up under-16 girls team. Broughton Parish Council £5,000 - skate park. Romsey Hockey Club £ 2,284 - new junior teams. The Long Overdue Youth Theatre in Andover £5,000 - training programme. Vigo Junior School £3,050 - Softball club. Brighstone Primary School £4,968 - after-school sports clubs. Circus Island Community Project £2,690 - circus skills training. David Cadmore Gymnastics Schools £5,000 - pre-school training. Dover Park Primary School £2,543 - family support information unit. Isle of Wight Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club £5,000 - training for young people. Northwood Cricket Club £5,000 - setting up junior and women's section. Ryde Cavaliers Cricket Club £ 3,970 - new girls team. Sandown Carnival Association £ 3,900 - workshops for young people. St Thomas of Canterbury RC Parish Cowes £4,850 - disabled access and new kitchen. Ventnor Community Cafe Limited £5,000 - cafe launch. West Island Cricket Club £2,292 - children's coaching. Wight Diamonds Marching Band £5,000 - after-school club at Nodehill Middle School