A lottery windfall of more than £500,000 is set to benefit disabled people in the county.

Chelmsford-based charity Essex Disabled People's Association (EDPA) is set to receive £560,021 from the National Lottery Charities Board in what is the largest amount to be awarded in the Eastern Region.

The money will be used to fund a transport project offering travel vouchers to disabled people on low incomes. The scheme aims to provide them with a choice of how and when they travel.

The money will pay for the vouchers and the administrative cost of running the scheme.

But Albert Gable, director of EDPA, said the best thing about the money is that almost all of it will be spent on the travelling scheme.

"Hardly any of it will go on administration because it is not really needed. What will happen is people who are severely disabled and on low income will be able to get about.

"It really will mean a new lease of life for them and we are absolutely delighted about it. Isolation, particularly on a low income, is a terrible thing," he said.

The scheme had already been successfully launched in Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock, but funds had run out in March.

"It had generated a lot of interest and lots of people were very disappointed it had to stop, but with this money we can pick up where we left off and extend to the whole county," added Mr Gable.

Charities Board regional manager Lynn Morgan said the announcement of the awards was also a good time to celebrate National Volunteers Week, which runs until June 5.

"It is a great idea, but we know people are working every day of every month to improve their communities," she said.

The money will mean the new transport scheme will be able to operate for at least the next three years.

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