Nine Bradford organisations are celebrating today after being awarded a slice of almost £500,000 in National Lottery cash.

The main beneficiaries were the Beacon Enterprises Community Workshop in Buttershaw with £75,120 and Bradford based Mosaic with £191,839.

Staff at Beacon Enterprises Community Workshop Limited in The Crescent, Buttershaw were delighted with their windfall from the National Lotteries Charities Board.

Centre Manager Geoff Draper said the money would give the workshop a chance to expand into providing more after school and holiday care.

He said: "This project will be based at Buttershaw First School and compliments the work that we already do which provides training and vocational courses for adults in Buttershaw.

"With this money we can press ahead with the scheme in which we have additional help from Royds Community Association and Bradford TEC."

Linda Colclough of Mosaic said she was still on cloud nine after hearing the news.

The support group provides a confidential service for mothers whose children have been sexually abused.

Miss Colclough said the three year grant would give the group a lifeline: "There was very little money left in the pot, but now this funding will give us a base, help with running costs and pay staff."

Bradford Astronomical Society in Undercliffe say its £5000 grant will help more people see the stars. Thrilled committee member David Copper said: "We will use the cash to buy state of the art equipment which will allow people to see the sun a lot clearer in daylight observations."

The grants under the Community Involvement Programme go to: Beacon Enterprise Community Workshops Limited in Buttershaw: £75,120 to provide a centre offering school and holiday care. Cancer Support Care in Bradford: £44,735, for community development worker and help running costs. Mosaic: £191,839, the three-year grant will pay for office equipment and running costs. Shipley and Baildon Volunteer Bureau: £147,323, the three year grant will pay for three members of staff, running costs and office equipment.

Under the Small Grants Programme cash has gone to: Bradford Astronomical Society: £5000 for telescope, computer and other equipment. Bradford Occupational Health Project: £3247 for computer, software and office equipment. Parkside Community in West Bowling: £1500, provide toys and equipment for various groups in the local community. St Francis Playgroup in Eccleshill: £3500, new toilet facilities and play area for inner city pre school age children. Triangle and Royal Associations in Bradford: £5000, office equipment, volunteer expenses and computer equipment for this advice centre which provides advice and various community activities.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.