GOOD causes in and around Darlington have received a share in more than £1m of National Lottery funding.

Dozens of grants were handed out in the borough, providing a vital cash boost to local arts, sport and heritage projects, as well as community groups helping the area’s most vulnerable people.

Recent grants have included:

• £1,610 to Sadberge Village Hall Association to replace the old, rotten leaking windows in the village hall, to provide a warm and secure environment for the community to use;

• £4,250 to Hurworth Community Association, to build a pathway through a nature reserve to provide a well-lit and safer route for people.

Now these projects, and any organisation which has received Lottery funding in the past 18 years, have a chance to gain national recognition for their work as the National Lottery Awards 2013 open for entries.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “National Lottery players in Darlington should be proud of the difference they are making to people in the area.

“The National Lottery Awards recognise the unsung heroes, dedicated workers and selfless volunteers making great use of Lottery funding.

“If you know of a Lottery-funded organisation that deserves to be nominated, we want to hear from you.”

The National Lottery Awards have seven categories, each reflecting an area of Lottery funding: Sport, Heritage, Arts, Environment, Health, Education and Voluntary/Charity.

The winners of The National Lottery Awards will receive a £2,000 cash prize and national recognition at a star-studded event broadcast on BBC One later this year.

The 2013 awards are now open for entries, which must be received by 9am on Tuesday, March 19.

For more information, visit nationallotteryawards.org.uk or call 0207-293-3599.