IT'S BEEN an Easter bonanza for Okehampton area organisations who have scooped money in the latest round of grants under the Lottery 'Awards for All' scheme.

The maximum grant of £5,000 has been awarded to the South Zeal Recreation Ground Association towards a toddlers' play area and £4,950 has gone to Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA) for Sportsweek activities.

Okehampton Netball League has received £3,200 to promote netball through schools by coaching and tournaments and Hatherleigh Festival has scooped £2,750 to fund community art events to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

Wendy Redstone from the South Zeal Recreation Ground Association said this money meant the toddlers play area, which was costing £15,000 in total, would hopefully be in place for the summer.

The cash will go towards a safety surface and installing toddler play equipment and will be added to grants from West Devon Borough Council and charity donations.

Manager of OCRA Stuart Lord said sport in Okehampton had done really well in this latest round of awards and it was great news.

'It's absolutely fantastic for Sportsweek which did not get any grant funding last year at all,' he said.

'The money, both for this and for the Okehampton Netball League, is a big boost for sport development in this area.'

The town's 4th Sportsweek from July 8-14 aims to promote a huge variety of sports and gives everyone an opportunity to try something different.

The latest funding programme from the Awards for All scheme has awarded 44 grants for projects celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Senior awards officer Steve Barriball said the deadline for applications for jubilee projects over the public holiday weekend in June had now passed: 'However we are able to continue our support for jubilee inspired projects throughout 2002 and we remain keen to see applications for non-jubilee projects,' he said.

'We want to fund projects which involve people in their local community, extend access and participation, increase skills and creativity and improve the quality of life.'

As long as you are a 'not for profit' group, have a constitution or set of rules and a bank account and can spend the grant within 12 months, then you can apply.

Grants range from £500 to £5,000 and for more information contact 0845 600 2040.