Six Colchester charities were celebrating yesterday after scooping almost £500,000 in lottery grants.

Volunteers who help families, disabled and special needs children and former addicts have all benefited from the latest cash bonanza.

Open Road Visions, which provides support services for people trying to overcome drug and alcohol addiction, has been awarded £190,458 from the National Lottery Charities Board.

The grant will pay for two project workers, a relapse prevention worker, information materials, training and travel costs.

Colchester Community Voluntary Services is to get almost £170,000 so it can open its volunteer bureau full time and Colchester Home Start is to receive £112,000.

Other successful charities include Rowhedge Under Fives Playgroup with £1,338, Squirrels Pre-School, £5,000, and Colchester Carers Centre with £4,000.

Sarah Chambers, project manager at Open Road, said today: "We are absolutely delighted."

Colchester Carers Centre (For Children) is a one-stop shop for parents and carers of children with special needs or disabilities.

The organisation, based behind the Oaks Nursing Home in Oaks Drive, Lexden, will use its money to create a supervised soft play area.

Trustee Joyce Raw said: "It has taken the other three trustees and I three years to get this project off the ground and we are delighted to be able to come up with the goods.

"The grant will fund a much-needed facility for children with disabilities and will enhance our respite project."

Home Start volunteers support families with young children, offering help and advice. Senior organiser Ruth Lloyd said: "This grant recognises the skill, dedication and kindness of these people and also reflects our own admiration for local families who achieve so much in often difficult circumstances."

Thanks to its £170,000 grant, Colchester Community Voluntary Services will soon be able to open its volunteer bureau full time and encourage more people to take part in voluntary work.

Director Samantha Drummond said: "It's a wonderful boost for the community and the voluntary sector.

"It means what we do is valued."

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