COMMUNITY groups in Dorset have been given a generous cash boost from The National Lottery.

More than £165,000 of The Big Lottery Fund has been awarded to 18 community projects in the county.

The money has been raised by lottery players and will help support projects ranging from a group organising summer camps for young people to a model toy town.

It comes after 214 projects in the South West are benefiting from more than £3m of National Lottery funding.

The Piddlehinton Millennium Green Trust has been awarded £9,372.60 which will go towards a new play area on the village green.

Sue Hennessy, one of group’s trustees, said: “The National Lottery has done Piddlehinton proud as this is the third time they have supported us.

“We plan to install new play equipment. We are replacing our old play equipment that is deteriorating due to the weather and is costing too much to fix. It will be hugely used by the community.”

She added that the installation of the new play equipment is earmarked for the summer holidays.

Weymouth-based charity The Horse Course has been given £10,000 of funding.

The charity uses horses to teach key emotional skills to troubled and disadvantaged people when conventional therapies aren’t helping.

Harriet Laurie CEO of The Horse Course said: “It is lovely boost and will be very helpful.

“It will help us develop our new headquarters.

“We have moved into a permanent facility at the edge of Weymouth last year. It is a big step forward for us as we have been in temporary premises.”

“This bit of funding will go towards behind the scenes work to help fund a new arena.”

The South West Dorset Multiple Sclerosis Group has also been given a financial boost and a total of £7,784 has been awarded to the group.

A spokesman said: “The award will enable the group to continue to fund a dedicated caseworker through their partnership with the Dorchester Citizens Advice Bureau.”

James Harcourt, England Grant-Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We can see how the money raised by players for good causes helps to bring ideas to life and gives local people the opportunity to work together for the good of their community.”

“Whether from a village, town or city, we’re proud that our funding supports people who have identified what matters to them and their community and who want to make a positive change.”

The Big Lottery Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Every week, it gives out over £13 million to fund bright ideas, big or small.