A CHARITY supporting people with disabilities has been given a £150,000 lottery boost for its activities in an area including Wyre Forest.

North Worcestershire's Disability Information and Advice Line - DIAL - will use the Big Lottery cash award to fund improvements to its service.

The organisation provides information and help to people with disabilities, their families or carers in Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch via a free and confidential helpline or at one-to-one advice surgeries.

Volunteers offer guidance on any subject, from where to find a chair lift to how to fill in a benefit application form.

Thanks to the lottery money, which it will receive over the next three years, DIAL has employed two new members of staff and, over time, will invest in more volunteer training and new equipment.

Jim Smith, manager of North Worcestershire DIAL said: "The money means we can give more support to existing and new volunteers and provide a better service to the public."

He said that, like most charities, DIAL had previously survived on a low budget and often had to make do with cast-offs. The organisation is also appealing for new volunteers.

Mr Smith said: "It's a win-win situation. Volunteers can do something fulfilling."

Anyone wanting to use DIAL's services or to join its volunteer teams should call 0800 979 7202.