LOTTO chiefs have given new hope to people who are in need of counselling and live in outlying rural areas.

They have given a Community Fund grant of more than £156,000 to Ryedale Counselling Service (RCS) to expand a wide-ranging service available in Malton, and in doctors' surgeries in outlying parts of the district.

The cash will allow volunteers working for the organisation to carry out long-term work with clients, to improve their emotional and psychological well-being.

RCS chief officer Paul Hayward said: "Ryedale is a sparsely populated rural area, facing a number of deep-rooted problems as a result of this isolation.

"Access to counselling services and mental health facilities is extremely limited, so this project will have enormous benefits for everyone involved"

One of the counsellors, Judi Davey, said the funds would mean extra sessions could be provided at venues across Ryedale.

The chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber regional awards committee, Elaine Applebee, said: "People in rural areas often struggle to have access to services that are taken for granted in towns.

"This award will provide an important link to vulnerable people in this part of North Yorkshire."

Other projects in North Yorkshire to receive grants include: Adult Placement Services, which is getting £59,438 to provide holiday and respite service for vulnerable disabled adults in Ryedale, Hambleton and Scarborough over three years; Alne Village Hall, near Easingwold, is receiving £12,340 to update and equip an extension; and Sinderby Village Hall has been awarded £29,887 to repair and update the hall.

Since 1995, Community Fund has awarded more than 60,000 grants worth more than £2.7bn to UK charities and voluntary groups.