A Honiton-based monthly group for carers will have a venue for the next year after it successfully won a £1,000 grant from Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ scheme.

Honiton Carers Support Group will use the funds to pay for 12 months’ room hire and insurance for the town’s Methodist church, as well as new speakers, a few outings and covering the printing costs of its additional brochures.

Group member Winnie Cameron said: “The amount awarded has secured us for a further 12 months.

“Carers support groups and peer support make a huge difference to those who often become isolated due to their demanding caring role.

“No-one understands a carer more than another carer - we would like to thank Bags of Help from the bottom of our hearts for this generous grant.”

Alec Brown, Tesco’s head of community, added: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from customers.

“It’s such a special scheme because it’s local people who decide how the money will be spent in their community. We can’t wait to see the projects come to life.”

Voting ran in stores throughout May and June, with customers choosing which local project they would like to get the top award using a token given to them at the checkout.

Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups each time they shop.

Every other month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions are awarded funding.

Groundwork’s national chief executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down Britain to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them.

“The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area.

“We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities.

Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.