Shropshire projects hope to bag biggest share of funding

Grants worth £8,000, £10,000 and £12,000 are being offered for the projects as part of Tesco's Bags of Help programme.

In Shawbury, plans are in place to install a fitness area for adults in the village.

It will be up against a project in Ellesmere for the money. That scheme would see two jetties installed to improve boating facilities on the Mere in Ellesmere.

The old jetty will be replaced with one made from recycled plastic, with a second jetty added on the opposite side of the Mere.

Severn Gorge Countryside Trust's scheme to upgrade Benthall Picnic Site is the third project to find itself in line for a grant. People are now being asked to vote for which of the three projects will receive which sum of money to boost their plans.

The vote will take place at Tesco stores in the county from Saturday until March 6.

Jack Wilson, clerk to Shawbury Parish Council, said: "The council is delighted to have been informed that it is to be a recipient of the Tesco's Bags of Help initiative and has been promised a grant of at least £8,000 towards the development of an adult fitness area on the playing field in the village.

"The final level of the grant, which could be as high as £12,000, will depend on how many people vote for the scheme.

"The council has been planning the scheme for the past 12 months, which is seen as an important community facility that will form an integral part of the development of this area."

Shaun Burkey, Shropshire Council's north green space officer, said: "We have applied to this fund in order to enhance boating activities on the Mere where visitors will be able to take a ride on a pleasure craft with two drop-off points.

"This will also encourage visitors to experience parts of the Mere they wouldn't normally access, alighting at the woodland jetty and walking back to the Boathouse restaurant."

Cadi Price, community development officer at Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, added: "The picnic site will be de-cluttered of shrubs and over shadowing trees.

"New wheelchair-friendly picnic tables will be built using oak timber from our woodlands and the volunteers will also install an all-ability surfaced path around the site."

The Tesco Bags of Help scheme involves using the 5p carrier bag charge at Tesco stores in England, Scotland and Wales for grants to improve local parks, playgrounds, community gardens and other green spaces.

Projects that will get the green light as a result of the funding will include building new pocket parks, sports facilities, woodland walks and community gardens.