THE NATIONAL Lottery have revealed that they invested £764,000 into the Vale of Glamorgan last year

Across the Vale 109 grants in total were awarded, providing a vital cash boost to local arts, sport and heritage and community groups helping the area’s most vulnerable people.

Money put into local projects included £50,000 to the Vale council to go towards an art commission to enhance the renovated eastern shelter promenade at Barry Island

Projects and organisation which received Lottery funding, now have a chance to gain national recognition for their work as the National Lottery awards 2014 open for entries.

Sully resident and presenter of last year's Lottery awards John Barrowman said: “National Lottery players raise £33m every week for a wide range of projects which make a life changing difference to local communities.

"The Awards are a great way of celebrating their work and the unsung heroes helping people with National Lottery funding.

“Everyone in Vale of Glamorgan who plays the National Lottery should be proud of the difference their money is making in the local community.

"If you know of a Lottery-funded organisation that deserves to be nominated, we want to hear from you.”

The National Lottery Awards have seven categories, sport, heritage, arts, environment, health, education and voluntary/charity.

The winners of the National Lottery Awards will receive a £2,000 cash prize and national recognition at a star-studded event broadcast on BBC One later this year.

If you want to see a project from Vale celebrated in this year’s National Lottery Awards, visit www.nationallotteryawards.org.uk or call 0207 293 3599.

Projects wishing to enter can do so by visiting the website. Entries must be received by midnight on Wednesday, March 12.