Aspiring dancers and powerchair footballers will be among those to profit from a lottery fund giving millions to projects across the country.

The £3million is being awarded to 176 community projects across the East of England as part of a wider scheme by the National Lottery to fund carers and projects country wide.

Watford will see several projects given the grant, such as Aspiring Powerchairs, Para Dance UK and the Watford Citizens Advice Bureau.

James Harcourt, England grant-making director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Whether in a village, town or city, National Lottery funding is helping to make a difference, bringing communities together to help people lead happier and healthier lives.

“It’s wonderful to see the positive impact projects like Para Dance UK are making to the lives of carers in the East of England.

“They are an inspiration to others, showing what great things can be achieved when people work together to tackle the things that really matter to their community.”

In total, 176 community projects across the region are receiving a share.

In Watford, Aspiring Powerchairs has been given £10,000 to provide a powerchair football team.

The organisation will use the funding to purchase more electric chairs to help create a football team and provide activities for people with disabilities.

The Para Dance UK in St Albans Road is also getting £10,000 to offer carers the opportunity to train as volunteer tutors in wheelchair dance.

Watford Citizens Advice Bureau Volunteer Recruitment Project will help recruit more volunteers, and to retain existing ones - this is being given £9,852.

Chief executive at Action for Family Carers James Clarke said: “This is very welcome news and will make a real difference to the people we support.

“Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to provide training and activities for carers in Essex over the next 4 years that will keep them feeling good and caring well.”