MORE than 50 organisations across Worcestershire and Herefordshire have received grants totalling almost £200,000 in the latest round of Lottery funding.

Community groups ranging from sports clubs and teams to drama groups, choral societies and theatres have received from £500 to £5,000 from Awards for All. A number of schools in the area have also benefited.

Awards for All is a joint programme supported by the Community Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Sport England and the Arts Council. It is aimed at helping small community, voluntary and charity groups.

"It's really good to see such a lot of groups with so many different projects being able to benefit from the grants we offer," said spokeswoman Tina Costello.

In the Worcester area, the Raw Dance Company is to receive £5,000 for a project giving young people the opportunity to work with professional dancers.

"We're thrilled to get this award," said spokeswoman Rachael Alexander.

"For a group like ours, this is a large amount of money and it will allow exciting opportunities for professional dancers to come together in Worcestershire to create new dance works as well as giving local young people the chance to dance with professionals."

The company is currently working towards a performance at Bishop Perowne CE High School on Saturday, May 19.

Members of Kidderminster Choral Society are also celebrating, after receiving a grant of £5,000.

It will allow the society to mount three performances of Benjamin Britten's unique folk opera Noye's Fludde in October.

The performance will involve a cast and orchestra of more than 250 people, including both professionals and local young people.

"We're thrilled," said society chairman, Jonathan Price.

"This is a large sum of money and it will make it possible to bring this wonderful opera to many local people.

"We've worked hard to develop the project, which is a new venture for the society, and to prepare our application for the funding. Now we've got the money, it's time for the real work to start."

Awards for All grants are made every three months, with the next round due to be announced in July.

For more information or an application pack, call 0845 600 2040.

If you need help with a project, call the Helpline on 0121 200 3500.