PEOPLE are invited to have their say on how grants awarded by a national co-op are shared out.

Senior members of the national Co-Operative group will be in Stokesley on Monday, October 2 to hear about which community issues and organisations are important locally.

Earlier this year, the Co-operative awarded £14,000 to three projects in Stokesley, including one run by the local Rotary group for young carers.

Eileen Driver, who is on the Co-Operative’s national members council and lives in the Stokesley area said: “The Co-operative doesn’t give money to shareholders, we’re trying to share out our benefits with the local community.

“We want the community to explain to the Co-op what they want to do and how they would like them to support the community.

“This is the chance for people to discuss with senior people at the top of the Co-Operative and with each other how campaigns could operate locally.

“There’s only 20 events like this being held in the country and Stokesley has been chosen to host one of them.”

The event will take place at Stokesley Town Hall between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday, October 2. There will be refreshments including food and coffee available.