GOOD causes in Bromsgrove received more than £700,000 from the National Lottery last year.

The lottery awarded 26 grants, worth more than £737,000, providing a cash boost to various local arts, sports, heritage and community groups that help vulnerable people.

The North Worcestershire Basement Project, which provides a drop-in service to homeless and potentially homeless young people aged 16 to 25-years-old in Bromsgrove, has received £207,000.

South Bromsgrove High School received £150,000 towards a project for a new astro turf pitch, while £9,600 went to Newstarts to deliver IT, numeracy, literacy and textile crafting sessions at its new premises for marginalised and disadvantaged members of the community.

The organisations who have benefited from the cash are now being invited to enter the National Lottery Awards 2014, for a chance to gain national recognition for their work.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “National Lottery players raise £33 million every week for a wide range of projects which make a life changing difference to local communities.

"The awards are a great way of celebrating their work and the unsung heroes helping people with National Lottery funding.

“Everyone in Bromsgrove who plays the National Lottery should be proud of the difference their money is making in the local community."

The awards have seven categories - sport, heritage, arts, environment, health, education and voluntary.

The winners will receive a £2,000 cash prize and national recognition at a star-studded event, being broadcast on television later this year.

For more details visit nationallotteryawards.org.uk.