NEW figures reveal that over £2.9 million of National Lottery funding was invested in Weymouth, Purbeck and west Dorset - including cash for a support group for stroke patients.

Across the area 64 grants were awarded in 2014, benefitting local arts, sports and heritage projects alongside community groups helping those most in need.

Grants were awarded to a wide range of projects including £9,400 to Wareham Town Council’s WW1 Community Group and £2,810 to Weymouth Stroke Support Group to provide activities and support to people who have suffered from a stroke.

Weymouth Stoke Support Group's, Donna Barr said: "The money we applied for was to launch a programme called Moving On which aims to help stroke survivors and their families and show that there is life after a stroke.

"We have bought a lot of new equipment and now have a physio session where stroke survives can work to improve their balance and coordination using equipment such as the Wii to work together as a team.

"The money has also been put towards marketing to get the group better known and let people know we are here."

Any organisation that has ever received Lottery funding has the possibility of gaining national recognition through entering the National Lottery Awards 2015.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “Every National Lottery player should feel proud of the incredible difference they are making to the local community.

"They raise an astonishing £33 million every week for a huge variety of life-changing projects.

“The National Lottery Awards offer a chance to celebrate the fantastic work of Lottery-funded projects.

"If you know of a great project that deserves to shine, then please nominate them for an Award.”

The National Lottery Awards have seven categories to reflect the range of areas that the Lottery funds, which include, 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 ceremony broadcast on BBC One later this year.

If you want to nominate your favourite project or enter your own project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or call 0207 293 3599 to find out more.

Entries must be received by midnight March 25.