Three local causes in Sidmouth received a much needed funding boost thanks to the Co-op's annual Local Community Fund campaign.

Each year, Co-op stores ask local people to nominate deserving community causes. Funds are raised when Co-op Members buy selected Co-op products and services, with 2p for every £1 they spend going into their Co-op Membership account and also to the selected local causes.

In November, Sidmouth Netball Club, the Companions Sidmouth Community Sponsor Group, and Sidmouth Plastic Warriors all received cheques to help fund their activities in a presentation outside the Co-op on the high street.

Sidmouth Netball Club received £1,446 and will use it to buy floodlights for the club's new courts.

Sidmouth Plastic Warriors got £1,993 and are using it to reduce cigarette litter. They have already purchased 10 A4 poster 'butt bins' for people to post their cigarette butts in.

Chair of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors Denise Bickley said: "We are giving the bins away and each one has a different message about the damage of cigarette waste on the ground.

"We are looking for businesses that have public facing walls that may have an issue with waste. We have given four away so far – one to Co-op themselves, two to the Black Horse and one to the Balfour – and we are looking for six more.

"I am also buying more litter pickers, in particular at least one extra long one to do banks, and possibly a trolley."

Co-op Members help thousands of grassroots community projects through the Local Community Fund by selecting a cause to support. Since 2016 Co-op Members have raised more than £85m for over 25,000 projects.

Select your local cause today at coop.co.uk/local-causes or go to the Co-op App.

Supporting these local causes aligns with the Co-op's mission of fairer access to food, mental wellbeing and opportunities for young people.

Co-op Membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. See www.coop.co.uk/membership