Norfolk community charities are celebrating after being awarded a sum of money from the National Lottery's Big Lottery Fund.

More than 40 projects in Norfolk and Waveney are receiving a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, totalling to over £1.6 million.

Garden Organic, based in Breckland is one of the projects involved. It will be receiving £388,000. The project, which supports vulnerable members of the community and volunteers through community gardening will use the funding to provide therapeutic gardening activities, giving members the opportunity to learn new organic horticultural and life skills.

James Campbell, CEO of Garden Organic, said: 'Thanks to National Lottery Players, this funding will make a real difference to the local community and to the people we support. When people work together and engage in growing their own food they think differently about the food they eat, where it comes from and how they interact with local food culture and supply. All of which has a positive effect on themselves, the local environment and their interaction with their local community.'

Other charities across the region are also celebrating. The Simms Reeve Institute in Brancaster near King's Lynn has been awarded £406,933 for their Simms Reeve Development Project.

The project will allow an extension to be built that will house a dedicated space for the post office, an additional meeting room and a larger kitchen. The building brings the community together combating extreme isolation in some instances.

In Waveney, Southwold Millennium Foundation were awarded £9,700 for their Community Kitchen and Wildlife Garden.

The Lowestoft Men's Shed were awarded £10,000 to their project that delivers activities and services for men who are vulnerable to social isolation and other physical and emotional concerns.

In North Norfolk, Sheringham Dementia Friendly Community were awarded £9,980 for their project, Memory Lanes - Living Well With Dementia.

James Harcourt, England grant making director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: 'We are proud to be able to distribute National Lottery money to community projects that are making a real difference in the region.'