The regional launch of The People's Millions, a TV competition in which community projects will bid for a share of £200,000 worth of National Lottery grants, took place in Dawlish on Tuesday last week.

The organisers chose the resort because it received a £94,000 grant for a skate park after the 2007 competition.

The contest, now in its fifth year, gives the public the opportunity to decide which projects will receive lottery good cause cash via a public vote.

Present for the launch was the regional head for the Big Lottery Fund, Mark Cotton. He said: 'We are inviting people to come forward with projects who would like up to £50,000 of funding.

'The unique thing is that with ITV Westcountry we have a public vote and viewers of The West country Tonight will choose who gets the funding.'

Presenter Peter Rowell said: 'It's a chance for local communities to get together and say look, we need this slab of concrete turning into a skate park or this derelict piece of land developing into a lovely picnic area.

'It's not just about the money, it's about pulling communities together.'

Dawlish mayor Cllr Wally Protheroe said being prepared was the key to success. 'Have your plans ready to run, have the planning permission in place. That means that when the opportunity for funding arises you are more likely to get the chance to move forward.'

The Dawlish scheme, promoted by Dawlish Action for Youth, has been a hit with youngsters from across the district, including Sam Connett, 15.

The lad from Kenton, who is studying politics and journalism at Dawlish Community College, said: 'It's great. It means we don't have to travel so far and it's really nice and friendly. People should get out and vote for their local projects, particularly skateboarding if they don't want it happening out on the streets.'

Another 15-year-old impressed with the park was Matt Sluman, from Dawlish. Asked what he thought about the project he replied in the way he knows best by jumping on to his board and making the most of the half-pipe and the spring sunshine.