Three Oxfordshire groups are to receive grants totalling more than £500,000 from the Community Fund.

The Oxford Parent-Infant Group, which offers counselling for families with children aged up to two years, has been awarded £180,724 to expand its services.

Age Concern Oxfordshire is to get £168,892 to expand its advice service for elderly people.

Oxford-based Energy and Vision, providing preventative courses on drug abuse, will receive £166, 821.

"It's fantastic news," said Mary Daniel, the director of Age Concern Oxfordshire.

"It will enable our information and advice department to grow.

"We will receive the money over three years and use it to recruit a new full-time member of staff and train more volunteers.

"It will improve our service to older people, many of whom live in rural areas with poor public transport.

"They often need face-to-face contact and home visits to help them fill in forms and claim benefits they're entitled to."

Age Concern Oxfordshire has 70 full-time staff, and a large network of volunteers. Three employees currently work in the information wing.

Mrs Daniel said the team had helped older people in Oxfordshire to claim £358,000 so far this year in attendance allowance and other benefits.

The Community Fund was previously known as the National Lottery Charities Board.

Regional manager Dorothy Buckrell said: "We aim to improve the lives of people within local communities by supporting organisations that can make a real difference through their work."

Grant application packs can be obtained by calling 08457 919191.