MORE than £30 million of National Lottery funding has been ploughed into Keighley since the initiative began nearly 25 years ago, new figures show.

Several hundred grants have been awarded to a range of projects.

One of the biggest single payouts was £3.6m towards the cost of restoring Cliffe Castle Park to its former glory.

The scheme – funded jointly with Bradford Council – has included a new palm house and cafe terrace, planting, and the restoration of the fountain and pathways.

Another big beneficiary has been Haworth Riding for the Disabled.

It received grants, each over five years, firstly for £376,000 and then £406,000.

The charity’s fundraiser, Jane Lawrence, said the group would not have been able to grow without the support.

“We have expanded from running two sessions a week to operating six days and that could never have been achieved without the National Lottery funding,” she added.

“We’re now running 55 riding sessions a week – not including holiday and after-school clubs – and helping to improve the health and wellbeing of more than 100 people from this area who are living with disabilities.

“Employment opportunities have also been created as a result.”

But National Lottery bosses say most of the payouts made over the years have been for £10,000 or less.

Examples include the STAR Youth Project, which received £10,000 to furnish a centre.

Training provider Confianza was given £9,000 to install a kitchen.

And £8,000 was awarded to Autism Spectrum Consultancy to stage workshops for young people.

Jonathan Tuchner, for the National Lottery, said: “Since its launch, the lottery has changed lives the length and breadth of the UK.

“I’m astonished at how many projects and organisations the National Lottery has funded – from helping people who have mental health issues, to keeping teenagers out of trouble with free after-school clubs.

“It’s all down to local people who choose to do incredible things with National Lottery funding, changing their communities for the better. I look forward to what we can achieve together over the next 25 years.”

The National Lottery is launching special awards to mark its anniversary.

Any organisation which has received lottery backing is invited to enter, as the search begins for the favourite ever projects. Winners will each receive a £10,000 cash prize and recognition at a glittering ceremony to be screened on BBC One later this year.

For more details and to enter, visit lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. The deadline is April 30.