GROUPS and organisations supporting military personnel, veterans and their families in Catterick Garrison are being invited to take part in a round of Tesco's Bags of Help dedicated to the military.

They have the chance to share in more than £100,000 of funding this November and December.

The initiative, run in partnership with community charity Groundwork, sees the money raised from the sale of carrier bags awarded to thousands of local community projects every year.

In November, the supermarket is putting a special focus on armed forces in our garrison towns.

Nominations are being invited for local military charities and for groups benefitting the armed forces communities.

Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop and awards of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 will be granted in each area.

Alec Brown, Tesco’s head of community, said: “Tesco’s founder Sir Jack Cohen established the business with his WWI demob money and supporting our Armed Forces has always been important to us."

Groundwork’s national chief executive Graham Duxbury said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to vote for projects delivered by charities and community groups that have a special significance to their town. We look forward to seeing the creative ways in which local groups address the needs of serving personnel and veterans."

Anyone can nominate a project, and groups looking to register interest for the special funding round should visit www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp.