Christmas came early for a number of groups across the Great Yarmouth borough, in the form of lottery funding.

The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Memory Club, St Peter's Clippesby Church, 3c Youth Club at Cobholm Community Centre and charity Live for Change, have all been awarded more than £9,000 from the Big Lottery Fund (BLF).

It comes as an early festive surprise for all four groups who are planning to use the money to improve their facilities and expand their services.

The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Memory Club, were handed £9,990, and plan to use the funding to establish an additional weekly reminiscence and therapeutic activities club aimed at older people who have, or have a high risk of, developing dementia.

Sandra Edmonds, of the club, said: 'I am absolutely over the moon, I have been trying at every opportunity to get some funding and am delighted that we have been chosen this time around.

'We are also going to spend the money on bringing in some chefs at the club to cook basic lunches for members, and then some will go towards giving them day outings and towards the running costs.'

Miss Edmonds told the members about the good news at a tea dance which was held at the Magdalene Way Methodist Church Hall on Wednesday.

St Peter's Church in Clippesby, received a £9,945 donation from the BLF.

Jean Lindsay, who has dedicated more than 50 years to the church, many as warden, said: 'It is lovely news and will help us towards getting a little kitchen, a sink and maybe look at installing a toilet somewhere around the premises. We are also going to provide improved community facilities where we can maybe run additional lunch clubs and tea and biscuits before prayer.

'It is a huge help and a great present to have after our recent funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund which went towards repairing the building.'

Great Yarmouth based charity Live for Change was awarded £9,950 through the funding.

The organisation will use the funding to carry out community outreach and engagement with local residents and support services.

Gavin Gardner, said: 'This will enable the group to meet with local people to discuss their current or future health and support needs, identify gaps or areas that could be improved in current service delivery, and work with local support partners to develop effective projects.'

The 3c Youth Club at Cobholm Community Centre won £9,960 from the BLF.

The charity will use the funding to deliver a programme of creative and physical activities for children in the local community including professional music production workshops, freeze frame and film making workshops, rock school taster sessions, CD making workshops and more.

The club hope that these activities for young people will reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.