A NUMBER of the area’s London Olympics stars were yesterday celebrating a funding boost in their sports.

UK Sport announced a record amount of £347million to be ploughed in to help elite athletes in the lead up to the 2016 Games in Rio.

While Dorset’s indoor volleyball and handball players were left reeling after receiving no backing, others throughout the region had reason to cheer.

In stark contrast to some of her club-mates, Wessex volleyball star Zara Dampney was delighted after women’s beach volleyball received £400,000.

Dampney tweeted: “So happy that UK Sport have invested in our road to Rio 2016!! Let’s get this show on the road.”

Poole sisters Lucy and Kate Macgregor saw increased cash pumped into British sailing.

The duo, who competed alongside Annie Lush in match racing this summer, are both likely to target places at Rio 2016.

And they have been boosted by an injection of funds which lifts the sport’s support from nearly £23million to £24.5m over the next four years.

Dorset shooter Peter Wilson, who won men’s double trap gold in London, and his GB team-mates will also benefit from a funding increase after it was confirmed £3m would be set aside for them.

William Fox-Pitt and GB’s eventing squad have been handed nearly £18m to help boost their Rio preparations following a successful London campaign – up more than 33 per cent.

UK Sport’s target is for Team GB to surpass the 65 Olympic and 120 Paralympic medals won in London.