A number of community projects in and around Norwich will have a reason to smile in the run up to Christmas after receiving their share of a £2 million pot of cash.

The money is being awarded by the Big Lottery Fund and aims to benefit those taking a lead in helping improve their communities.

Projects in Norwich and Great Yarmouth are among those to have been awarded a slice of the funding.

A total of £6,692 has been earmarked for Eating Matters in Norwich to help the organisation create a new counselling room at its eating disorder support service.

A further £10,000 was awarded to the Assist trust, based in Norwich, to help foot the bill for much-needed IT equipment, training and resources to help meet the increasing demand from their service users.

Sprowston Pavilion Playgroup will benefit from £3,293 for 'The Great Outdoors - Enhancing Physical, Communication and Language' project and will use the money to install outdoor play equipment to be used by children needing to develop their communication skills.

Circle Housing Wherry, based in Norwich, has been awarded £9,420 for their 'Cultivating Communities' project which involves using the sum to provide training to parents with disabled children to help them support their child.

The Norfolk and Norwich Scope Association has received £9,695 to help deliver its training and activities programme for young people aged between 18 and 24 with physical, sensory and learning disabilities.

Some three projects in and around Great Yarmouth have benefitted from similar cash injections thanks to the fund.

The Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Memory Club was awarded £9,990 to help with laying on an additional weekly reminiscence and therapeutic activity club in a new venue, aimed at older people with a high risk of developing dementia or already have the condition.

In Clippesby, near Great Yarmouth, members of St Peter's Clippesby Church can jump for joy at £9,945 earmarked to help develop their existing church site and enable them to increase and continue activities for the community.

The 3C Youth Club at Cobholm Community Centre received £9,960 to be used for a programme of creative and physical activities for children.

Live for Change near Great Yarmouth is set to use its £9,950 from the Big Lottery Fund to carry out outreach and engagement with residents and support services to help meet the needs of the community.