SUPPORTERS of an Alzheimer's charity in Trowbridge have celebrated receiving £40,000 of Lottery funding.

At a formal presentation at Bridge House last week, staff and members of the Alzheimer's Support Group West Wiltshire were given a cheque for £39,979 from the Community Fund.

The group will now be able to hire four new staff to help with its Sunday Club.

Principal manager Anne Littlechild believes financial backing from the Trow-bridge League of Friends helped the group secure the grant.

She said: "It made it clear that our service was really valued by the community we serve."

The group works alongside Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, taking ref-errals for the Sunday Club and providing daily support for patients and their families affected by Alz-heimer's and dementia.

At the Sunday Club patients can take part in arts and crafts and go on days out.

Ann Fowler, who runs the Sunday Club from a room in Trowbridge Hospital, said: "People often struggle on alone not knowing there are so many facilities to help.

"With the new staff we will be able to welcome the waiting list of people who want to join the club it will give a lot of relief to families and patients."