COMMUNITY groups across the region are celebrating after they were awarded thousands of pounds in National Lottery cash.

Dozens of organisations have been handed grants by the National Lottery Awards For All scheme to aid their work in several fields, including sport, art and drama.

Eight groups in the Hambleton district shared hand-outs worth more than £30,000, with the largest awards going to a local history project and the North Yorkshire County Scout Council.

The Pickhill cum Roxby millennium project, based near Thirsk, was given £4,800 to research the history of the village, print and bind 1,000 books and print 1,000 colour leaflets highlighting the key features and landmarks of the area.

The Scout council received £4,750 to help introduce young people to watersports by purchasing a boat and trailer.

History buffs were also celebrating at Thirkleby, where the local history group was given £3,515 to produce a book about the area, while the newly-formed Snape Village Arts was allocated £3,100 to create a mosaic to commemorate the millennium.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, singers in the Harrogate Harmony Barbershop Club will be able to enhance their public performances with a new PA system paid for by a £4,400 grant.

The money will also pay for voice coaching sessions and help boost efforts to expand membership.

Young and old alike were given a boost in the Scarborough area, with grants totalling more than £11,500 being awarded.

Among the beneficiaries was the Scarborough and District Schools Basketball Association, which was given £1,615 to fund travel costs to matches, a kit for a new girls' team and extra equipment.

The Scarborough Friendship Centre of the Association of Retired Persons Over 50 received £871 to give its members a day visit to Chatsworth House and gardens in Derbyshire.

Senior awards officer Paula Ritchie said: "The main aim of Awards For All is to get people involved in their local community and this makes such a positive impact on peoples' lives across the region.