AN ELLESMERE-based forestry scheme has received some helpful backing thanks to the community.

Plantation Wood, located between the Shropshire Union Canal and Sandy Lane, is a plot of woodland that has been maintained and preserved by volunteers over a number of years.

For the second year running, the Plantation Wood has been the beneficiary of the Tesco Bags for Help scheme, which encourages shoppers to choose which community-based project they would like to receive funding.

By winning the competition, the project has been given a grant of £4,000 by the supermarket, which will go towards improving the accessiblity of the woodland, as well as general care of the trees.

Chairman of the Plantation Wood Trustees, Paul Goulbourne, said: “There’s almost always something to do.

“We’ve opened up a new footpath through the wood and we want to make the path from the canal to Sandy Lane pushchair friendly, so installing ramps and that sort of thing.

“This scheme shows the support of the community. You don’t realise how much support you’ve got.

“Even when you’re going round Tesco, you can see your project going up and up. So I’m very pleased with the support we have.

“This is one of the best projects I’ve been involved with.”