Rob GarrattChildren's play areas, village halls and community groups across Norfolk are among the projects to benefit from a brand new series of lottery grants.Thousands of pounds has been awarded to projects across the county - from art workshops to funding for Norwich teenagers to make their own TV-style soap.Rob Garratt

Children's play areas, village halls and community groups across Norfolk are among the projects to benefit from a brand new series of lottery grants.

Thousands of pounds has been awarded to projects across the county - from art workshops to funding for Norwich teenagers to make their own TV-style soap.

The money has come from the inaugural Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All programme, which has seen grants of up to �10,000 awarded to eight projects across the region.

And the fund is now appealing for organisations to put forward their bids for the next series of grants.

Among those to benefit is Norwich's Recreation Road Infant School, which was awarded �6,750 to help set up a new sensory garden on their grounds.

The garden, part of the school's Let's Get Growing scheme, will be used by the school's 315 pupils in lesson time and be open to families.

Headteacher Serena Dixon said: 'We're really pleased to be able to put this project into motion.'

Meanwhile �9,999 was awarded to a groundbreaking scheme that will see Norwich teenagers creating their own online soap - with the added twist that viewers will get to vote on where the plot goes next.

The scheme, run by CMedia, will see around 20 pupils working to write, shoot and act in the show, with plots which will address areas teenagers are worried about such as drugs, drink and sex.

Director Sean Whyte said: 'Young people don't normally get a voice to say what they think, and this drama will allow them to show what they think is going on.

'It will be a great learning experience and we're hoping some of the kids involved will pick up skills that mean they can go off and work in the media.'

Dilapidated and under-used play equipment at Stalham Recreation Ground will be replaced, thanks to a �10,000 grant from the fund to Stalham Town Council to overhaul the 30-year-old equipment.

A children's play area in Halvergate will also be given a facelift, thanks to a �10,000 grant to the Halvergate Playing Field Association.

The Yarmouth-based ARC Artists Group has been awarded �7,510 to put on a series of cultural workshops that will engage within different ages and cultural groups.

Elsewhere the Friends of Thetford Forest Park have been awarded �8,000 to set up new seating that will provide a rest point for those using wheelchairs and with restricted mobility.

Norwich's Eaton Parish Hall will see its toilets upgraded thanks to a �9,900 donation to the Beehive Childcare Group.

Another hall to benefit is the Mundford Village Hall, which has been awarded �6,200 to replace the flooring, enabling it to stay open and serve the local community groups.

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund head for East of England, said: 'It's great to announce the first Awards for All grants of the year and to see some of the exciting activities and events groups receive grants for the year ahead.'

Details of how to apply for funding can be found at www.awardsforall.org.uk or by calling 08454 102030.