DOZENS of Hampshire and Isle of Wight charities and community groups have been given a helping hand following the latest round of Lotto cash handouts.

In total, more than £600,000 has been awarded to groups across the south east with Hampshire and Island-based organisations picking up almost £140,000.

The money is distributed by Awards For All - a company set up when the lottery was introduced to manage the sharing out of small sums of cash.

Those on the receiving end of today's announcement include organisations working with disabled people, community-based sports and drama clubs, and associations promoting the interests and inclusion of ethnic minority communities.

Groups interested in almost any issue can apply for the Lotto cash, provided their work benefits the community in some way.

Malcolm Higgins, the senior awards manager at Awards For All, said: "It's good to see that the applications we receive reflect the needs and wishes of local people - it means that the proceeds of the Lotto are going back into the heart of our local communities.

"We hope to see more applications coming in from groups that deal with health, environment and heritage issues in the future.

"These are areas that we can fund through Awards For All, but there aren't yet as many well-established clubs and groups focussing on these issues.

"We hope that some of our funding will help new organisations to get established if they are needed."

For more information on applying for Awards For All funding, contact 0845 600 2040 or visit their website at www.awardsforall.org.uk

WHERE THE FUNDS GO:

HAMPSHIRE:

Association of Parents, Relatives and Friends of Camphill. £4,400

The group provides an advocacy and advisory service for people with learning disabilities.

Hampshire Athletic Association. £4,958

The association promotes and administers amateur athletics in Hampshire.

EASTLEIGH:

Pilands Wood Community Association. £5,000

The association manages a community centre for local people.

Gosport:

Gosport Access Group and Disability Forum. £4,395

The group raises awareness of the effects of disability and promotes better opportunities and services for people in the area.

NEW FOREST:

Blandford Hall Trustees. £4,415

The award will pay for new flooring in the main hall and kitchen.

SOUTHAMPTON:

Blackfield Junior School. £3,070

The money will be used for an after school table tennis club.

Botley British Legion Sea Angling Club. £1,600

The money will be used to buy a new engine for the club's boat.

Chinese Association of Southampton. £5,000

The money will help finance a project to establish a Chinese music and dance ensemble in the city culminating in a performance for Chinese New Year in 2003.

Southampton Primary Care Trust. £4,000

The trust has trained ten volunteers from ethnic minority communities in health topics and communication skills, and the money will help pay for these workers to get out into the community and pass on information about health issues, particularly cancer.

Southfronts Tenants Association. £2,646

Will help the association rent out a flat that will be turned into a study centre to help residents develop new skills.

The Cornerstone Network. £5,000

An arts group running a project to showcase community art work.

Weston Park Netball Club. £4,038

Will establish new sections for younger players and those living in rural communtities.

TEST VALLEY:

Barton Stacey Village Players. £4,530

The money will help this newly-formed club put on plays.

Wellow and Plaitford Cricket Club. £1.867

Will allow the club to run a special coaching session for children during school holidays.