THE LATEST round of lottery grants for North Yorkshire will help people suffering from mental distress, fund a village hall modernisation and provide a new fitness suite.

Nearly £3.5 million has been awarded by the National Lottery Charities Board to help projects in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Almost £126,000 has been given to the Ryedale Counselling Service in Malton, to fund its staff and running costs for three years.

The money means that people experiencing mental distress will have access to free counselling.

Sports England, which is responsible for distributing lottery money to sports projects, has awarded £101,020 to the Galtres Centre in Easingwold, to buy a new fitness suite.

Anne McIntosh, Vale of York MP said: "I'm delighted that those living and working in and around Easingwold will benefit from this."

Elaine Appelbee, chairwoman of the Yorkshire and Humber regional awards committee said: "We recognise that village halls can play a crucial role in strengthening rural communities."

In York the Peasholme Centre homeless project has been awarded a three-year grant worth £170,800, which will pay for two project workers, a resettlement outreach worker and fees for freelancers.

The project is to develop and extend a resettlement service, including a day centre, a temporary supported housing scheme and a home visiting service.

A £74,566 grant has also been given to the Foxwood Community Action Group in York, which was set up in 1994 in response to the rising levels of crime and drug abuse.

The money will fund a community development worker on the estate for three years, to increase links with local service providers and organise community projects.