OVER £500,000 lottery funding has been awarded to groups in the south west and many people in north and west Wiltshire will be able to benefit from the extra cash.

In Westbury a £3,850 award will be used to develop rugby amongst youngsters who have limited opportunities to get involved at the moment.

Jason Salter from the club said: "This is a big push to make sure Westbury rugby survives.

"We are very, very pleased indeed to get this money."

Sports at Paxcroft School in Trowbridge will also benefit, with a grant of £1,520 being given to allow the development of after school sports clubs.

In Calne a grant of £3,180 to St Dunstan Primary School will be used to renovate a wildlife area to make it more accessible. The money will be used to relay paths to the area and to renovate an existing pond.

In Trowbridge an award-winning group of young baton twirlers the Metallica Twirlers will be benefiting from an award of £3,500. The money will help with the cost of attending national competitions.