Cullingworth organisations are toasting their good fortune this week after receiving lottery windfalls.

Cullingworth Village Hall and the Over 60s' club have both scooped valuable cash awards from the National Lottery small grants scheme.

The village hall committee has received £3,576 which it will spend on replacing window frames.

The village hall is used by a variety of groups including the Over 60s', Cullingworth Amateur Dramatic society and the pre-school nursery and playgroup.

A grant of£850 has also been awarded to the Over 60s' group which meets every Thursday in the village hall.

Members will use the cash to buy a portable induction loop which is used to help the hard of hearing.

The news will be especially welcomed by the likes of parish council deputy chairman Cllr Ken Thompson, who is hard of hearing himself.

Cllr Thompson has talked about the feasibility of buying such a system at parish council meetings this year.

The grants form part of a £1,017,926 award by the National Lottery Charities Board as part of its small grants scheme.

Charities board regional manager Helen Wollaston says: "Many small groups think they cannot get a grant from the charities board - but the process is straight forward and the application line, 0345 458458, is always open.

"Our small grants scheme is designed to support a wide range of local community groups - by helping to a playgroup pay for new toys, or to strengthen self-help groups for example."

More information can be obtained by calling the regional office on 0113 2245300.

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