People in Norfolk going through a crisis as a result of extreme circumstances are set to benefit after two projects shared nearly £1m of lottery funding.

The Mancroft Advice Project, based in Norwich, and the Mid Norfolk Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) partnership were today each awarded just short of £500,000 by the Big Lottery Fund as part of the allocation of £30m across England.

Both projects will now be able to set about creating schemes to benefit people going through hard times.

The Mancroft Advice Project (MAP) have 50 children and young people come through its doors every day, and now have the freedom to set their own agenda for the next five years thanks to the cash.

Chief executive Dan Mobbs (CORR) said the funding is vital after years of government cuts squeezing the sector.

'Getting lottery funding really does feel like winning the lottery,' he said.

'It is the long term nature of the funding that is vital for us. So much funding now is short term and we often have to reinvent what we are doing to suit a certain view.

'This gives us five years to plan and develop best practice.'

The CAB, working in partnership with branches in Thetford and Diss, as well as other agencies, will use the money to employ 'Advice Champions'.

Mandy Lewis, Mid Norfolk CAB manager, said their role would be to help people through what can be complicated processes.

'We are delighted with the funding as we think this programme will make a huge difference to people's lives.

'Clients often come in needing help from a variety of different agencies, over a long period of time, and the Advice Champions will help them through that journey,' she said.