PUPILS and staff at Greatham Primary School are celebrating being chosen to benefit from a new grants scheme run by Tesco and the environmental charity, Groundwork UK.

The Bags of Help scheme uses money raised from the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores to help fund projects to improve green spaces.

Tesco customers are being asked to vote for one of three local projects every time they shop until tomorrow (Sunday).

The school has been raising money to transform an out of bounds and currently unusable bit of wasteland behind the school into a sensory and eco garden.

Headteacher Joanna Goman said: “As well as a wonderful new facility in which the children can learn and play, the garden will also be enjoyed by the many community groups that use our school including the nursery, crafts groups, play groups and sports clubs.”

The amount of money awarded to each project will depend on the number of votes they receive. The winning project will be awarded £12,000, second place gets £10,000 and the third-placed project will receive £8,000.

Friends of Greatham School (FROGS)?member Julie Foster said: “There were over 5,000 applications nationally for the scheme, from which 1,200 projects were selected.

“After two years of fundraising, this grant will allow us to start the works straight away. The end date will depend on how much we get in from this campaign.

“The more votes we get, the quicker the garden will be complete.”

Customers can vote for the Greatham Community Garden Project in any of the following Tesco stores until tomorrow (Sunday): Bordon Superstore, Petersfield Superstore, Petersfield Express, Liss Express, Alton Express and Four Marks Express.