BOLTON hit the lottery jackpot when five groups scooped £50,000.

The Big Lottery Fund is awarding more than £15 million to 320 community projects across the country.

Friends Of Horwich Memory Cafe received £10,000 to provide additional social and recreational activities for people with dementia.

The money will also help the charity provide support, respite and additional activities for carers, improving general health and well-being, relationships and coping strategies.

The Friends of Rivington and Blackrod High School won £9,975 for its Motiv8 initiative.

The funding will be used to run a programme of activities after school and for a week outside of term time for vulnerable young people aged 12 to 14 focusing on health, happiness and well-being.

It will aim to reduce levels of obesity and offer a diversionary activity in an effort to reduce youngsters' involvement in anti-social behaviour.

Hardy Mill Community Primary School's Parent Teacher Association won £10,000 for its Our Community Space project.

The cash will be used to equip a room for community use within the school.

Christ Church, Little Lever, also won £10,000 for its community kitchen.

The money will be spent on upgrading its kitchen so that it is accessible for people with disabilities.

Finally, the New Openings group was awarded £9,900 for the 'See what I see, hear what I hear' scheme.

The organisation will offer training and activity sessions targeting people with learning difficulties to help them cope with feelings of low self esteem and reduced quality of life.

Sessions will involve an artist support worker and day trips to Manchester, York and Blackpool.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund deputy director, England, said: "These projects are excellent examples of how National Lottery funding supports and empowers carers in the community, putting people in the lead to provide those most in need with the independence and stability to realise their potential and enjoy taking an active part in the community."

The awards have been made through the Big Lottery Fund's Awards For All and Reaching Communities programmes, awarding National Lottery funding to communities and people most in need in England.

Awards For All provides grants between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations and Reaching Communities awards larger grants of £10,000 and above.

For more information on National Lottery funding go to biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding