Two jubilant community groups in Thanet are celebrating after between them winning £100,000 of lottery cash for two exciting schemes in neighbouring towns.

The Ellington Park Wildlife Garden and Broadstairs Town Shed schemes were both successful in head-to-head telephone polls, beating two other worthy projects for cash from the People’s Millions.

Both Thanet schemes were outlined in short television films on ITV Meridian East.

The Friends of Ellington Park will now use the money to create a wildlife area within the park, including a new pond, indigenous plants and wildlife habitats. The garden will promote conservation and provide volunteering and educational opportunities for all ages.

The idea is to bring different age groups within the community together.

The £50,000 won by Broadstairs Town Team for its town shed initiative will involve engaging people in the community, particularly men, for the refurbishment and establishment of a “shed” using a building provided by Thanet District Council.

DIY skills will be shared across generations, for a project primarily targeting men but available to the whole community.

A fundamental aim is to reduce isolation, promote health and wellbeing and enhance community cohesion.

Big Lottery Fund Dawn Austwick said the “brilliant” results for Broadstairs and Ramsgate, showed what could be done when groups had their communities behind them.

Ellington Park Wildlife Garden beat Herne Bay Coastal Park with the most votes after a day of telephone voting. Broadstairs Town Shed topped the most votes, up against Newhaven Community Development Association’s Food 4 Seahaven: Community Kitchen.

Since The People’s Millions began in 2005 the competition has funded over 520 diverse community projects UK-wide with an incredible £27.8 million in Big Lottery Fund good cause money.

This year across the UK up to £3.8 million will be awarded by the public through The People’s Millions.