Community groups in Oswestry and surrounding towns and villages are set to share a £20 million funding boost from the Co-op.

A total of 17 organisations will benefit from the latest round of donations via the Co-op’s Local Community Fund, including the 4th Oswestry Guides, Connect for Life and Oswestry Methodist Church Pre-School, with each in line to receive several thousand pounds.

The other local groups are Swan Mere Day Centre CIC in Ellesmere, the St Martins Village Centre, the 1st Gobowen Scout Group and 1st Gobowen Rainbows and Chirk Dementia Support Group.

The initiative works by Co-op members who buys own-brand products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare earn a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local good causes.

Michael Gallagher, area manager for Co-op food stores, said: “As a community retailer we want to support the causes that matter most to Co-op members such as the 4th Oswestry Guides, so we would urge people to visit us online to choose who they would like to support, and then shop with us to ensure the good causes get the most out of the fund.

“Nationwide the local community fund is making a real difference to charities and good causes throughout the country.

"Since we launched the membership scheme in September 2016, 8,000 organisations have shared £20 million, and we are confident that this year we will raise a further £20 million to be shared amongst the latest 4,000 causes.”

To become a Co-op member visit www.coop.co.uk/membership