The awards reward and recognise the inspirational work of National Lottery funded projects across all sections of society.

The finalists in the Best Heritage Project category are:

• The Aber Valley Centenary Project in Wales commemorates the men and boys who lost their lives in the biggest mining disaster in British history 100 years ago.
• The Cutty Sark Conservation Project saved a national icon following a devastating fire, preserving the tea clipper for future generations to enjoy and successfully transforming it into a 21st century visitor attraction.
• A beautiful but derelict former hospital chapel has been transformed into a flagship therapy centre, Gartnavel Chapel - Cancer Support Centre in Glasgow.
• The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is a world class visitor experience and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Bristol Dinosaur Project helps people in the West Country learn about their very own dinosaur that existed 210 million years ago.
• The Holocaust: Sustaining The Legacy scheme has trained volunteers in Yorkshire to become professional speakers to ensure their experiences of the holocaust are heard by future generations.
• Restoration work has saved the Grade II listed Porthmeor Studios and Cellars in St Ives which has been home to fishermen and artists for more than 130 years.

Voting for The National Lottery Awards ends at midnight on Wednesday 24 July. You can follow the voting on Twitter: #NLAwards or visit the Lottery Good Causes website.

TV star and actor John Barrowman, presenter of The National Lottery Awards, said: “National Lottery funding helps transform communities and changes lives for the better. National Lottery players should be proud that their contribution to good causes makes such a positive difference to heritage projects across the UK.

“I would urge everyone now to get behind their favourite project and do their bit to ensure they get national recognition for their invaluable contribution to society.”

The seven winners will take their place at a glittering awards ceremony in September which will be broadcast on BBC One. Winners will not only pick up a coveted National Lottery Awards trophy but also a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project.

Notes to editors

• Calls cost no more than 5p from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary, calls from mobiles could cost considerably more. Callers are advised to check with their telephone network provider to be certain of the cost. No profit will be made from the cost of the phone vote by The National Lottery.
• All voting will be independently adjudicated and verified by Electoral Reform Services.
• Over 900 good causes from across the UK entered this year’s awards. A panel of judges had the unenviable task of whittling those down to a shortlist of seven in each of the seven categories reflecting the different areas of National Lottery funding: arts, sport, heritage, health, environment, education and voluntary/charity.

Further information

The National Lottery Awards: Michael Thompson on 020 7211 3894 or 07734 295 745.