VOTING is currently under way for Tesco Launceston’s Bags of Help scheme, which will see three projects receive up to £12,000, £10,000 or £8,000, depending on the number of votes they receive.

Tesco’s Bags of Help is a community grant scheme funded by the recent 5p plastic bag levy.

This initiative has helped reduce the use of plastic bags by over 80% since it was first introduced.

Bags of Help is for any not-for-profit organisation, to improve the outdoor environment for recreation, conservation, sport, play or heritage.

This year, the groups that will benefit from the total of £30,000 of funding from Tesco Launceston are Lewannick Primary School, for school ground improvements; Upton Cross’ jubilee field for a gazebo and activity tracks; and Mount Edgecombe for a bee preservation project.

Every customer shopping in the Launceston store will be given one token to place in the voting unit, until November 13.

From December, there will be monthly awards for smaller amounts of funding, so Tesco Launceston are now encouraging local groups to apply.

This will see groups receive either £1,000, £2,000 or £5,000 each month.

Application processes can be accessed online at www.groundwork.org.uk/Sites/tescocommunityscheme.

More information can be found by contacting Tesco Launceston’s community champion, Shelley Vanstone.