THE National Lottery Awards 2017 are open for entries, giving Lottery-funded projects a chance to shine in the national limelight.

The Awards recognise the amazing work done by organisations using National Lottery funding to transform communities and change lives.

They celebrate the unsung heroes behind the success of local arts, sports, heritage, and community projects.

Every week National Lottery players raise £30 million for good causes and, since 1994, more than 500,000 Lottery grants have been awarded.

Seven projects will be recognised at a star-studded awards ceremony broadcast on BBC One later this year, and each will win a £3,000 cash prize.

Readers can visit nationallotteryawards.org.uk/awards to nominate projects.

All entries must be in by midnight on Friday, April 7.

John Barrowman

National Lottery Awards ambassador

The National Lottery Awards