More than £818,000 of National Lottery funding was invested into Dover last year, according to figures revealed this week.

Some 24 National Lottery grants were awarded across Dover, providing a vital cash boost to local arts, sport and heritage and community groups helping the area’s most vulnerable people.

This three figure sum is a result of resident’s playing habits, as said by John Barrowman, the presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show.

He said: “Everyone in Dover who plays the National Lottery should be proud of the difference their money is making in the local community.

“If you know of a Lottery-funded organisation that deserves to be nominated, we want to hear from you.”

He added: “National Lottery players raise £33 million every week for a wide range of projects which make a life changing difference to local communities.

“The awards are a great way of celebrating their work and the unsung heroes helping people with National Lottery funding.”

Last year grants were awarded to Age Concern Sandwich Centre to install disabled access doors to the entrance of their day centre.

The centre was awarded £5,095.

Now these projects, and any organisation which has received Lottery funding, have a chance to gain national recognition for their work as the National Lottery Awards 2014 open for entries.

The National Lottery Awards have seven categories – each reflecting an area of lottery funding: sport, heritage, arts, environment, health, education; and charity.