WITH the closing date of The National Lottery Awards fast approaching, Omagh's inspirational Lottery-funded projects are today urged not to miss out on their chance to be a winner.

The National Lottery Awards are now entering their fourth successful year and this year's winning projects will have the chance to win £2,000 and have their achievements highlighted on a prime-time BBC TV show.

Nominations and entries can be made either online at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or by calling 0845 130 4133, and must be received by April 27.

The National Lottery Awards have seven categories - each one reflecting an area of Lottery funding. Judges will be looking for the best project in the following areas: Sport; Heritage; Arts; Environment; Voluntary/Charity; Health and Education.

Shortlisted projects in each category from Northern Ireland will compete against projects from all over the UK to go through to the finals, with the overall winners being announced in September.

One person who was glad that they made last year's deadline was 2006 National Lottery Award Northern Ireland regional winner, Brendan Malone, from Midnight Street Soccer, a community football initiative in Belfast, which uses sport to tackle social problems.

He said, "Before Midnight Street Soccer there really wasn't much to do but now I have a way to use up my energy at weekends. I've made some new friends and it's something we look forward to.

"I'm glad that Lottery money has meant the scheme can expand so others can get involved too. I would encourage all projects to enter the Awards.

"We were delighted that we won the regional title."

Since the Lottery began in 1994 over £20 billion has been raised by Lottery players for Good Causes across the UK.

So far more than 11,7691 National Lottery grants have been given out in Northern Ireland, totalling over £642million in funding for local projects.

The National Lottery funds a wide range of projects in the arts, sports, heritage, health, education, voluntary/charity and environmental areas, with 28p in every Lottery pound going to Good Causes.