COMMUNITY groups in North Yorkshire have shared a National Lottery windfall of more than £50,000.

Dozens of organisations are celebrating after the cash hand-outs from the Lottery's Awards for All scheme.

More than £16,000 was awarded to five groups in the Hambleton district, including the Great Ayton community archive project, which received £5,000 to produce a CD ROM promoting the area's cultural heritage.

Osmotherley pre-school has £5,000 to draw new architectural plans. Other winners in the area were the Stokesley short mat bowling club, Hambleton and Richmondshire Gay Men Talking and Baldersby St James primary school.

In the Harrogate area, £14,800 was allocated to three groups. The North Yorkshire Cub Scouts received £5,000. Harlow Hilltop School and the Ripon Village Schools Games Association shared the rest.

A total of £14,300 went to community groups in Scarborough, £10,300 was given to York and £6,900 to Ryedale.