A TREATMENT centre for multiple sclerosis patients and an after-school club saved from closure are among the big winners in this year's Lottery funding.

Thousands of pounds are being pumped into charities in west Wiltshire thanks to the Awards for All funding organised through the National Lottery.

Five charities are benefiting from the cash boost, with £4,250 going to MS sufferers in Warminster and £5,000 to the Margaret Stancomb After-School and Holiday Club in Trowbridge.

Adrian Gilder, chairman of the management committee at the MS Therapy Centre, said: "The point is that we need an income of over £100,000 every year to keep the centre running.

"We are delighted to be given this money and it will be used to provide vital sessions to MS sufferers to use high dosage oxygen therapy.

"Commercial organisations can charge up to £100 to allow patients to use this therapy but with the Lottery money we have significantly reduced it and only ask for a suggested donation of £6.

"Oxygen therapy is a very effective way to treat patients and people who have been doing it for 10 years show a much slower rate of deterioration."

At the Margaret Stan-comb After-School and Holiday Club, the cash will help pay for a manager during the school holidays, just three months after the club was set to close.

Play leader Teresina Worley said: "I took over with colleague Kay Brown in October and we were threatened with closure because we only had one child on the register.

"Now we have 13 children here and are going from strength to strength.

"We are now in the position to be open during all school holidays as well as during school time now."

Nearly £3,000 has been allocated to help Melksham First Community Partnership develop an action plan for improvements by the Wilts & Berks Canal.

The cash will be spent on a spring festival and a conference to gauge public opinion.

Community planning co-ordinator Nikki Coyne said: "We are looking into what can be done down by the riverside in terms of facilities and environment.

"We know people are looking at whether to restart the Wilts & Berks canal and we need to find out what the community wants."

Money has also been given to 1st Trowbridge Scout Group who will spend £3,426 on outdoor equipment, with £2,967 going to Warminster Camera Club for IT facilities to help with training.