THE Okehampton Otters Swimming and Life Saving Group is one of 120 community groups, voluntary and charitable organisations across the south west celebrating success in the latest round of National Lottery funding.

The biggest grant of £4,814 was announced this month by the Lottery's Awards for All scheme and will fund extra coaching sessions and courses, swimming seminars and equipment.

Head coach Nigel West said he was delighted with the news.

'We will be able to upgrade swimming education and will allow the club to replace old equipment,' he said.

'One thing we are going to buy is a starting gun which is battery operated and, as well as making a bang, will also flash which is a great help to the hard of hearing. It is a new innovation and very useful.

'We have also applied to attend four training trips at Millfield School's 50-metre pool.'

Bratton Clovelly and District Bowls Club received £4,793 to buy start-up equipment and Winkleigh Short Mat Bowling Club was given a grant of £4,400 which it will also use for new equipment.

Steve Barriball, senior awards officer from South West Awards for All based in Exeter, said: 'This latest round of awards, totalling £390,710, is extremely good news for local groups working to improve their communities in a whole variety of ways.

'I know how much of an impact even a small grant can make to a local community organisation and I have no doubt that the awards we are announcing will make a significant difference to local communities and life here in the south west.'

Awards for All is a lottery funding programme aimed at local not for profit groups and makes grants between £500 and £5000.

To apply for finding telephone 0845 600 20 40 or visit the website at http://www.awardsfor">www.awardsfor all. org. uk