SUPPORTERS of a Stourport heritage restoration project are trying to secure more funding by going head to head with other Lottery-funded projects in the semi-finals of a national competition.

Restoration of Stourport’s Canal Basins is one of only 10 projects to make it through to the semi-finals in the Best Heritage Project category of the National Lottery Awards, an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

The winning project in each category will receive national recognition on a special BBC 1 TV show later this year and a £2,000 cash prize to spend on the project.

Stourport’s canal basins played a vital role in developing the UK’s canal transport system. Their restoration has created new community areas and tourist attractions.

The five canal basins that make up the docks where the narrow boats were loaded and unloaded have now been restored in a Lottery-supported project and turned into a major community resource and tourist attraction.

Chris Bailey, of Restoration of Stourport’s Canal Basins, said: "We are thrilled to be in the semi-final of the National Lottery Awards.

“Our project has really benefited from Lottery funding, so it would be great for us to win an award and really showcase the difference the project has made to the area."

This year’s National Lottery Awards are supported by television and radio presenter, Jackie Brambles.

She said: “Lottery players raise £25 million every week for good causes and this year marks 15 years since the lottery began.

“The National Lottery Awards recognise the amazing talent and hard work of the people involved in running Lottery-funded projects.

“Please get behind your local projects and vote so that they get the credit and thanks they deserve.”

Now in their sixth year, The National Lottery Awards recognise the difference that Lottery-funded projects – both big and small – make to local communities and celebrate the achievements of the people behind them.

Voting for the semi-finals started yesterday and ends at midday on Friday, July 10.

To register a vote for Restoration of Stourport’s Canal Basins, call 0844 686 3010 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards The three projects in each category with the most number of votes will go through to the finals of the awards and another round of public voting later in August.