VOTING is set to get underway in Tesco's £12.5million Bags of Help initiative.

Shoppers can vote in store to decide which of three projects in their community they would like to receive a grant of £12,000, £10,000 or £8,000.

The supermarket has teamed up with Groundwork on its Bags of Help initiative, which sees money raised from the 5p bag levy, being awarded to environmental and greenspace projects across the country. Voting is open in stores across the region from Monday to November 13. Customers will be able to cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

The bag charge has already raised millions for good causes across England and Wales.

Lindsey Crompton, head of community at Tesco, said: "Voting is just days away and we couldn't be more excited to get round two of Bags of Help underway.

"More than 1200 community groups will receive £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000 to invest in their local projects.

"I'd urge shoppers to get down to their local store and vote for which of the shortlisted projects they would like to see come to life with a Bags of Help grant."

Groundwork's national chief executive, Graham Duxbury, said: "The grants will make a real difference to more than 1200 community groups and projects the length and breadth of the country."

Previous grant winners include the Gruffalo Trail project at Queenswood Country Park, the Hereford Housing project to install a toddler play park in the Newton Farm area, the Moreton-on-Lugg Parish Council project to improve play equipment and the Lady Emily Hall at Tarrington project for general repair work.