MORE than £400,000 of National Lottery Funding was awarded across the Vale of Glamorgan during 2015.

There were 47 Lottery grants, totalling £462,000, given out last year in the Vale, providing a vital boost to arts, sports and heritage projects alongside community groups helping those most in need.

Among the groups to benefit were Oak Court Garden and Social Club in Penarth with an award of £4,030. The money will be used to improve their community garden, funding a gazebo, greenhouse, raised beds and nature pond, plants, shrubs and compost, garden equipment and paint, barbecue, potting shed and plant pots. Penarth Cricket Club received £1,473 to improve opportunities for the under-nine age group.

The 1148 (Penarth) Squadron were also awarded £1,860 to update their technical equipment to offer their cadets the opportunity to gain qualifications, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and BTECs. This grant was to fund three laptops, three tablets, a television, PC software and a projector.

And, Dinas Powys Cricket Club's junior section were awarded £1,084 for equipment and coach education.

Now, any organisation that has ever received National Lottery funding has the chance to enter the National Lottery Awards 2016.

National Lottery Awards winners will receive a £3,000 cash prize and national recognition at a ceremony broadcast on TV in October.

Sully residand and TV star John Barrowman, who presented last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “The National Lottery Awards offer an unmissable opportunity to give outstanding projects their time to shine. If you can think of a great Lottery-funded project, please nominate them for an award.

“All these fantastic projects are funded by National Lottery players - every one of you should feel proud to raise an astounding £34 million a week, which provides much needed support to such life-changing work.”

National Lottery Awards are given across seven categories; sport, heritage, arts, environment, health, education and voluntary/charity, to reflect the range of funding that the Lottery gives out.

If you wish to nominate your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or call 0207 293 3599 to find out more and to enter. Entries must be received by midnight on March 9.