Community groups are 'over the moon' as more than £780,000 is handed out to good causes across the county thanks to the National Lottery.

A total of £787,041.22 has been awarded to 18 community projects that help improve people’s lives in Dorset.

One of the main beneficiaries is Refresh Weymouth and Portland, which will receive more than £250,000 over five years.

Reverend Anni Douglas, a trustee of the group, said the news is 'really exciting'.

"The money will essentially create another three jobs, as well as continuing to pay our debt centre manager. We are still dependent on the church putting in funding, as this is match funding, but it is still really brilliant."

Refresh is the churches of Weymouth and Portland in action, and its debt centre has helped 10 people go debt-free this year alone. It also runs a jobs club and money-management courses, which are led by volunteers.

Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee have been handed £4,180 for a new boiler.

Chairman Karen Bonfield said: “The village hall is a real hub for the community. We were over the moon when we found out we will receive the funding.”

Another project that has been awarded funding is Opera Circus, a Bridport based performing arts organisation that works with young people through arts and cultural activities. The project has been awarded £10,000.

Tina Ellen Lee of Opera Circus said: “Over the years the grants have enabled us to work within a number of projects that support developments in local schools and problems that concern communities, particularly for young people. This support is vital."

James Harcourt, England grant making director at the Big Lottery Fund said: “We are proud to be able to support local projects that make a difference in their communities. Whether the grant is for £500, or £500,000, our funding is used to run amazing projects led by local people. It really is life changing.”

The funding will be used to support a diverse range of projects enabling people to improve their skills, meet new people and strengthen their communities.

Community projects that received funding in Dorset include:

 Safe and Sound Dorset - Social Inclusion and Self Awareness for Women £9,944

 Melbury Abbas Village Hall Disabled Facilities £5,000

 AIM Community FYT-STOP animation, Bournemouth £9,780

 One Heart Seaing Sunshine, Bournemouth £9,995

 Matchmothers.org, Poole £2,395.32

 Teens United- Back in Shape, West Dorset £10,000

 Langton Matravers Village Hall- New Boiler System for the Village Hall £4,180

 Opera Circus, Resilience and Empowerment for Our Youth Community, Bridport £10,000

Broadmayne Short Mat Bowls Club- Short Mat Bowls Equipment Replacement Project £3,585

 Parochial Church Council of St Michael And All Angels Church, Colehill- Resurfacing of Car Park for St Michael's Church Centre £10,000

 Bridport Deaf Club £1201.40

 Myaware Somerset & West Dorset- Addressing Isolation and Increasing Confidence and Wellbeing £6,347

 Swanage Pier Trust- Purbeck Coast community radio £9,985

 Dorchester, Sherborne & Districts & North Dorset Citizens Advice £10,000

 Mi Flamenco, Bournemouth- Moving Towards Health £9,747.50

 Bincombe Valley Primary School, Weymouth and Portland- Forest and Pupil Support Hut £9,900.

 Immanuel Church- Connect 2 Immanuel Community, Bournemouth £412,229

 REFRESH, Weymouth and Portland £252,752