Lotto cash for hard-up families

Lottery cash will help recession-hit families

The Big Lottery Fund is investing nearly £5m in projects supporting communities during the economic downturn.

The cash is part of a £43m UK-wide package targeted at the young, vulnerable and out of work.

The announcement follows a consultation, where people were given a say in shaping the fund's future spending.

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather welcomed the "timely investment" from the fund.

The Big lottery Fund's Scottish director, Dharmendra Kanani, said: "We want to help and support people, families and communities to cope, stabilise and recover from the impacts of the economic downturn."

Mr Mather said: "It complements the practical, wide ranging measures in our economic recovery programme which is designed to help businesses and families across Scotland."

More than £63m of lottery cash is being invested in Scotland this year.