ALMOST £40,000 has been raised to support good causes across Bournemouth during the coronavirus pandemic.

The BH Coastal Lottery has awarded more than £38,000 in emergency funds to those who were in need.

The lottery has a £25,000 jackpot with participants cashing in anything from £25 to £2,000.

Other prizes include short holiday breaks in luxury beach lodges.

However, to date, no one has won the jackpot.

The Lottery Small Grant Scheme was launched to support the small, volunteer-led groups making a "huge difference".

This was followed by the Emergency Small Grants Scheme.

Ticket money goes towards helping voluntary organisations responding which in turn help vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grants were made available to provide garden maintenance for veterans, to contribute towards home learning programme for young people not in school and to aid vulnerable women in Bournemouth and Boscombe.

Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of BCP Council said: “The Covid-19 crisis has affected greatly affected our community, particularly the vulnerable. I am very proud of the efforts of our local community groups, and hope that the grants they have been awarded have helped in their continued efforts to help to improve the welfare of our residents who are in need.”

Tickets can be purchased from the BH Coastal Lottery website.