FOUR projects have been awarded a share of almost £500,000 by the National Lottery.

The grants have been made to community and voluntary groups in Harrogate, York and Hambleton.

Adult Placement Services, of Harrogate, is one of the groups. The Community Fund, one of the National Lottery distributors, awarded the group £192,926.

The project, which ensures adults with learning disabilities can have a greater say in the delivery of services they receive, will use the grant to employ and train nine members of staff.

Chairwoman of the Regional Awards committee Elaine Applebee said: "This is just the sort of work the Community Fund is keen to support.

"We want to fund projects that work with older people and their carers, children and young people, black and minority ethnic communities and refugees and asylum seekers."

York and District Citizens Advice Bureau is trying to recruit volunteers from under-represented communities and a £120,208 grant will enable them to take on three new members. Richard Porter, service manager for specialist advice, said: "The grant will be a huge benefit for our volunteer access project. We want to reach a wider section of the community and look for new volunteers."

The community fund has also awarded almost £100,000 to the Parochial Church Council of Sowerby, near Thirsk. Over the next five years, there are plans to improve the facilities in the church hall, including a new entrance foyer and better disabled access.

The fourth group to receive funding is the Alzheimer's Society, which will use its £57,822 grant to employ a part-time assistant development officer. The new recruit will organise support and care for people with dementia in remote areas across Yorkshire.