A NORTON-based charity is appealing for local votes as it aims for nationwide acclaim in this year’s National Lottery Awards.

Home-Start Ryedale beat off stiff competition from 620 organisations to reach the public voting stage in the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

The organisation is competing against six other organisations to be crowned the winner of the Voluntary/Charity category.

Winners of the seven National Lottery Awards categories will get a £2,000 cash prize, a National Lottery Awards trophy and attend an Awards ceremony, broadcast on BBC One in September.

Home-Start Ryedale supports families across Ryedale, North Yorkshire, who may be experiencing a range of challenges in their daily lives such as social isolation, physical or mental health problems, financial or housing issues.

Volunteers with parenting experience offer support on a range of topics including nutrition, budgeting, child development and safety. Thanks to National Lottery funding more than 35 volunteers have been trained and more than 80 families supported in the district.

Jo Oliver, Senior Co-ordinator of Home-Start Ryedale said winning the prestigious National Lottery Award and having their work showcased on national television would be an honour.

“We're delighted to have reached the finals of The National Lottery Awards," she added.

" Lottery money has really helped us to support families with young children, struggling with day to day life. It’s easy to vote, so we're hoping people support us, as it would be a fantastic reward for everyone involved in the project to receive national recognition for their hard work.”

TV star and actor John Barrowman, who will be presenting the National Lottery Awards for the fifth time this year, said: “The exceptionally selfless work carried out by National Lottery Awards finalists never fails to astound me.

"Their work deserves to be celebrated nationally; the community spirit, social cohesion and compassion.”

To vote for Home-Start Ryedale, go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards or telephone 0844 836 9714 and follow the campaign on twitter: hashtag #NLAwards. Voting runs for five weeks until midnight on Wednesday, July 29.