MP Maria Miller has welcomed news that Basingstoke organisations received a total of £398,573 in National Lottery grants during 2013.

The National Lottery supported 10 projects in Basingstoke, with the good causes ranging from local schools, to sports and arts bodies, and voluntary/charitable organisations.

Mrs Miller, who is Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which sets the policy for how National Lottery funding is distributed, highlighted that since 1994, the National Lottery has now helped to fund more than 420,000 projects across the UK.

She said: “I am delighted that some really good causes in Basingstoke have benefitted from Lottery funding during 2013.

"The National Lottery does so much to support these vital local organisations and I would encourage more of them, both large and small, to apply for grants to help fund their projects.”