Lotto cash windfall for groups

Shropshire is set to benefit from a slice of a £500,000 cash boost aimed at transforming spaces for people and wildlife.

The Big Lottery Fund has given out green grants to a number of grassroots organisations in parts of Shropshire, including Telford, Bridgnorth, Oswestry and Craven Arms. The BBC-led Breathing Places campaign was the inspiration behind the funding.

The campaign, driven by BBC's Autumnwatch and now Springwatch, has encouraged people to get involved in community projects to make space for nature.

The Walled Garden Project in Bridgnorth is set to receive £10,000; Great Dawley Parish Council, Telford, £9,315 and The Lodge Field Group, Telford, £991.

Norton-in-Hales Britain in Bloom Group will receive £1,990; the Rotary Club of Oswestry Borderland, £10,000 and Ifton Meadows Management Committee, £4,373.

Stottesdon Primary School will also get £10,000; Craven Arms Volunteers for the Environment, South Shropshire, £8,940 and Cwm Head Church, South Shropshire, £2,915.

The grants are for groups to create breathing places - green spaces that encourage wildlife, nature and community involvement.

John Taylor, The Big Lottery Fund's head of the West Midlands region, said: "This is such an exciting initiative which has clearly struck a chord with so many people across the West Midlands.

"It's fantastic to see lottery funding reaching out to so many communities - some projects will transform concrete jungles into vibrant breathing places, whilst others are doing whatever it takes to make a local patch special in its own way."

The BBC's Springwatch programme will showcase some of the successful projects.

Bill Oddie, presenter, said: "These grants are fantastic news.

"They will enable thousands of people to create breathing places where they live - which will be enjoyed by wildlife and people for years to come."

By Deborah Collins