AGE UK Somerset is bidding to bag a cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores - being awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Age UK Somerset is one of the groups on the shortlist.

The project it is hoping to get votes and win money for is about tackling loneliness and the health and wellbeing of Older People in Somerset and North Somerset through providing activity sessions to bring people together to make new friends.

Dianne Ramsay, manager of the Ageing Well scheme for the local charity, said “We are delighted to have this opportunity. With the help of the public we can create more opportunities for older people to join in our Ageing Well sessions and improve their health and wellbeing, as well as preventing loneliness and isolation of more older people.”

Voting is open in the following Tesco stores throughout September and October - Yeovil, Minehead, Taunton, Chard, Ilminster, Langport, Glastonbury, Wells, Nailsea and Portishead.

Customers will be able to cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.