A new body of sports and leisure "experts" from across Wales has been enlisted to help allocate lottery money to sports projects across the country.

Professionals from the fields of leisure, health and education, are among the 12 latest members selected to sit on the national and three regional SPORTLOT panels.

They will join another 32 men and women serving on the panels set up by the Sports Council for Wales to vet applications for capital grants from the Lottery Sports Fund for Wales. The new members were appointed after the Council advertised for nominations.

Sports Council for Wales chief executive, Dr Huw Jones, said: "Lottery funding is about the distribution of people’s money. It’s important to involve individuals from all parts of Wales, with experience in a range of sports, onto our panels. I’m delighted we have attracted highly experienced professionals and volunteers to assist with decision making."

The National Panel considers projects of "national significance" and/or costing more than £250,000 and consists of Mr Haydn Ames, Sport & Leisure Manager for Newport City Council; Dr Nicola Bolton, a sports development lecturer at UWIC; Miss Helen Phillips, chair of the Welsh Amateur Gymnastics Association and Mr Russell Ward, Head of Lifelong Learning, Culture & Leisure at Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Details: Jane Williams +44 (0)20 2030 0527