PHOTOGRAPHERS at a Wyre Forest club are looking forward to going digital after receiving a cash boost from the lottery.

photographer and Stourport Camera Club chairman, Derek Wilbraham.

Stourport Camera Club has received a grant of £4,998 that will help pay for the latest equipment, including laptop and desktop computers.

Chairman, Derek Wilbraham, who has been with the group for nine years, said: "It is great news for everyone at the club.

"Not all members can afford to spend hundreds of pounds on this sort of thing.

"We are thriving at the moment and it is because of digital photography. The people who have been taking pictures the longest are the ones who are the most interested."

The funding will also pay for projectors that will enable the group, which was formed in 1959, to take members' passion into the community.

It is hoped the photographers will be able to give demonstrations and exhibitions to other organisations.

Mr Wilbraham explained: "We are certainly hoping our membership will increase even more but, more than that, we want to take it into other areas.

"We want to take photography to other groups, like gardening clubs, schools, or homes for the elderly."

The group has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and has seen membership rise from 13 to 30.

New members are welcome to join the sessions that take place every Thursday night at Stourport Methodist Church Hall in Parkes Passage.

John Taylor, Big Lottery Fund's head for the West Midland region, encouraged more clubs to apply for the Awards for All cash.

He said: "It is great news that so many small communities are benefiting from these grants. We have the budget to fund another 500 projects before March."