Community groups from across West Cumbria gathered at a celebratory event after winning awards of up to £50,000.

The Community Choices campaign saw the public vote for the community projects they wanted to receive funding.

The scheme was launched by Sellafield Ltd, in partnership with CN Group, CFM, Phoenix Enterprise Centre, of Cleator Moor, and Cumbria Community Foundation.

Winners were presented with their awards by Workington MP Sue Hayman during the ceremony at Energus in Lillyhall.

Healthy Hopes, based in Workington, offers free health and well being workshops for vulnerable people in Whitehaven and Workington who may be socially isolated. It received £19,000 from the public vote.

Kerry Manson, director, said: "The people we work with were so pleased we could continue our group sessions, which give them a purpose to get up in the morning.

"They became anxious when they found out our previous funding was going to come to an end, so when we told them we had won this, it was like they had won £1 million.

"We just want to thank everyone who voted for us. We feel privileged to be here."

The Solway Hall in Whitehaven were awarded £49,000. Rosehill Youth Theatre, which runs the building, will use the cash to revamp the building.

Anne Kelly, trustee, said: "We were delighted with the grant and shocked at the number of votes we received.

"The hall is being well used by the community for events such as weddings and christenings."

Community Choices gave out 19 awards to charities and organisations including Rosehill Arts Trust, Citizens Advice Copeland and Allerdale, Seascale Community Beach Park, Wigton Baths Trust, Mirehouse Residents Group, Watchtree Nature Reserve and West Cumbria Domestic Violence.

Mrs Hayman said that she was really pleased to see businesses and community groups come together.

She added: "I'm delighted to see such a broad range of projects being supported. Small and local charities are a critical part of any thriving community."

Helen Fisher, head of socio economics at Sellafield Ltd, said: "Community Choices doesn't finish with us handing over the cheque. We want to know how the projects are going."