KEEPING a mini bus on the road, helping young children and preserving a town’s Grade 1-listed historic hall are the latest beneficiaries of a special fund run by the Co-op which encourages shoppers to invest in their communities.

Over the past six months £14,546 has been collected by the Co-op food shop in Bedale through people donating one per cent of their spending on the store's own-brand produce.

Members were asked to nominate which designated charity they wanted their money to go to or simply put it in the general pot to be shared out.

The contributions have now been presented to Bedale Community mini-bus which was given £4,923; Bedale Hall Trust which was presented with £4,911 for their restoration project and Aiskew Under 5’s pre-school group which was given £4,710.

Stuart King, organiser of the community membership fund, said the cash was raised through money spent by customers on the group's own products and the sale of plastic carrier bags.

Chair of Bedale community mini-bus, David Emison said: "This is a real boost for our group.

"We are so grateful for this support because this helps us subsidise our services, our trips to Northallerton market and patient transport services, work with local schools and charities. This is such a crucial service for the community and this kind of support is invaluable to keep us on the road."

Across the country the Co-op has raised over £20m through the community scheme which was launched last year, and the money distributed to local groups.

Store manager Stuart Mould said: "This is a fundamental part of what we do, supporting local causes in the community whenever we can. It makes us really proud to be at the heart of the community and presenting this money, which brings to £27,000 the money raised in the Bedale area through the fund."