It could be a supermarket sweep for junior school

The Tesco Bags of Help initiative sees grants of £8,000, £10,000 and £12,000 issued in each of the store’s 416 regions, with the money being awarded to environmental and green space projects.

Locks Heath Junior School is one that has made it on to the shortlist.

Melanie Gamble, the school’s science coordinator, said: ‘We are desperate to improve our grounds which, although large, are underdeveloped and not used to their full potential by the 500 children at our school.

‘With the Tesco grant, we would like to create a sensory garden with seating and tables to give children somewhere quiet and welcoming to work, read and reflect outside.

‘We would also like to build four allotment areas so that each year group has a space to grow their own produce.

‘Finally, we are fortunate to be next to a wooded area and we would love to build a safe entrance to this, creating a small nature reserve for the children.’

The initiative works in conjunction with Groundwork. Its national chief executive Graham Duxbury claimed the project would make a real difference. He said: ‘Bags of Help is giving our communities the funding and the support to create better, healthier and greener places for everyone to enjoy.

‘We’ve been thrilled to see the diversity of projects that have applied for funding, ranging from outdoor classrooms, sports facilities, community gardens, play areas and everything in between.

‘We’re looking forward to learning the results of the customer vote and then supporting each group to bring their project to life.’

Voting runs from October 31 to November 13. Each shopper will be given a token with which to cast their vote.

n Want to contribute to our community pages? Would you like to write a community column? Then e-mail The News at [email protected].