FIVE Wirral community projects have been awarded a share of cash from the Big Lottery Fund.

St John's Catholic Junior School, Church Road Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Creative Roots C.I.C, Mount Social Fund and Community Wood Works CIC are among more than 80 projects across the North West benefitting from a pot of £754,200.

St John's Catholic Junior School will use its funding boost to develop its outdoor area that is currently not fit for purpose.

It will install astro turf that will enable the area to be used by afterschool clubs to encourage children to take part in outdoor activities.

Church Road Neighbourhood Resource Centre will use its share to run a range of health and wellbeing activities for the community. This will include exercise sessions, a cookery course and volunteer training.

Also receiving a funding injection is Wirral organisation Creative Roots C.I.C, who will use the cash for its Arts and Minds Festival 2015.

It will be used to fund workshops and a festival focusing on raising awareness and stimulating discussion around mental health.

Mount Social Fund will use its cash boost to refurbish their lounge which is no longer fit for purpose, including new chairs, settees, tables, screen and projector and entertainment system.

The aim is to improve the safety of the facilities for the residents, providing easier access for people with mobility issues and new activities for them to socialise and enjoy.

Community Wood Works CIC will use the money for a Craft Skills Development Project helping unemployed and disabled young adults.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund deputy director England, said: “Today’s awards demonstrate how people in the North West are taking the lead to make a positive difference to their local community using grants from the Big Lottery Fund.

"The Big Lottery Fund supports the aspirations of people who want to make life better for their communities across the UK.

"We are responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised by the National Lottery and invest over £650 million a year in projects big and small in health, education, environment and charitable purposes.

"Since June 2004 we have awarded over £6.5billion to projects that make a difference to people and communities in need, from early years intervention to commemorative travel funding for World War Two veterans."