Image: The V&A at Dundee received initial support

Eight projects throughout the UK have been handed a boost after the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced initial support worth £76m in the latest round of major grant applications.

The organisation said the "highly competitive" round for grants worth more than £5m had received nearly twice the number of requests compared with the funding that was available.

Among the projects to receive initial backing from the HLF is the development of the V&A at Dundee, with the Design Dundee partnership receiving support towards its £9.2m bid.

Meanwhile, the National Army Museum in London has moved a closer in its bid for a grant of £11.3m, which will help fund an extensive makeover of the attraction in Chelsea.

Another scheme in the capital - the restoration and redevelopment of the Royal Academy of Arts - has been given initial support for a funding application worth £12.7m.

Other beneficiaries include Ditherington Flax Mills Maltings in Shropshire (£12.1m); the Maze Long Kesh in Northern Ireland (£6.4m) and Kent's Knole Tudor palace (£7.5m).

HLF chair Dame Jenny Abramsky said: "This latest portfolio of projects is probably one of the most wide-reaching we have ever seen. It covers so much that is important to the UK's heritage.

"It recognises the role the UK has played in the development of modern architecture and in doing so will help ensure some of our most-loved places are saved for future generations."

Details: www.hlf.org.uk