VILLAGE halls, community associations and hospices across York and North Yorkshire have received thousands of pounds in lottery funding.

Eighty-eight projects inYorkshire and Humber are sharing £2,766,122 from the Big Lottery Fund, aimed at helping local people to improve their communities.

At Linton-on-Ouse, near Easingwold, £10,000 has been given to buy a sound system for the village hall, and also new lightweight tables and chairs to help older and disabled residents engage in events and activities, thereby reducing their problems of social isolation.

Hall secretary Maureen Stringer said the sound system could benefit people from across the area in hiring out the hall for events such as wedding anniversary and birthday parties, and she hoped this would increase its rental income.

She said the award was the hall's second lottery payment and it would fund the completion of a five-year project to modernise and refurbish the village hall, which dated back to the 19th century "We were absolutely delighted when we heard we were getting it," she said. "It's a beautiful hall," she said.

Brompton Village Hall, near Northallerton, has also received £10,000 to fund a new boiler and heating system, and The Friends of Acomb Green have received the same amount towards a dance, arts and music festival, the first of which took place at the weekend.

Keith Myers, of the Friends, said the money would also go towards a fete to be held on Bank Holiday Saturday, August 29, and future festivals in coming summers.

Meanwhile, Hambleton and Richmondshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has received £235,000, partly to expand its service into rural areas of Hambleton through a variety of methods including face-to-face, phone, internet and Skype, with home visits for those unable to travel.

Eastfield Community Association has received £10,000 towards a new heating system at its community centre in Scarborough, and the same amount has gone to Harrogate District Hospice Care to refurbish part of a building to provide additional meeting and consultation rooms.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund, England Director said: “It’s great to see how so many projects receiving National Lottery funding today are being run by local people for local communities whether bringing generations together or helping others during difficult times.”