A HUGE injection of cash is on its way to Wyre Forest to help develop community services.

Lottery funding of £166,743 has been awarded to Community Action Wyre Forest to strengthen and support voluntary and community groups in the area.

In addition, help worth hundreds of thousands of pounds could be made available to two areas of Kidderminster through the Government's Sure Start scheme.

The aim of the scheme is to boost the health and well-being of children under four and their families, as well as expectant parents.

Community Action Wyre Forest was set up in June and offers support services to local groups including a "one stop shop" with computer facilities and an information library.

The Community Fund lottery grant means the group now has the necessary cash to appoint a development worker and a support worker.

Mary Williams, chairman of Community Action, said: "A great deal of work has been put into developing this initiative by many people over the last few years. We are absolutely delighted."

Ellen Coe, community development worker with Oldington and Foley Park Community Network, said the announcement by Sure Start was great news for people living in the Oldington/Foley Park and Sutton Park wards.

She said: "It's a wonderful opportunity for parents to come forward and say what facilities are needed."

The aim of Sure Start is to boost the health and well-being of families and their children by improving parental support such as crches, as well as access to health services.

The amount of funding will depend on the number of children and their families targeted for help. A formal cash bid will be made towards the end of July.

A party to launch the consultation process will be held at the Network Community Centre, Dowles Road, on April 28 from noon until 2pm. The party will include bouncy castles, fire jugglers, balloon modelling and free food and all residents of the Oldington and Foley Park and Sutton Park wards are invited.