Over the last two weeks, Tesco has been inviting local charities and groups to bid for a share of £12,000 in community funds, to be used towards environmental improvement projects.

Now with applications still flooding in, the application process has been extended until noon on Friday, December 11. All interested charities and community groups have to do is apply online at http://www.groundwork.org.uk/tescocommunityscheme or call the helpline on 0121 237 5780.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme has been also been expanded to include projects on school grounds, community spaces on housing estates or residential areas, including gated areas, spaces in the grounds of hospices and day centres and allotments.

Once all the bids are in and have been shortlisted to a final three, Tesco customers will get the chance to vote in stores for which of the three finalists – and their respective environmental improvement projects – they’d like to see win the prize money in their area.

These finalists will receive grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000. Customers will be able to vote for their favourite project from Saturday 30 January for two weeks.

Caroline Silke, Head of Charity and Local Community at Tesco said, “We’ve already had lots of great applications from across the UK and based on feedback we have decided to extend the deadline for applications by two weeks so even more community groups can apply.

“We’ve also listened to feedback from local communities who have asked us to extend the eligibility criteria so that even more community groups have the opportunity to apply for a grant.”

Administration of the local funding is being handled by environmental improvement charity Groundwork, which specialises in supporting communities to transform local green spaces for the better.

Ian Dennis, Community Enabler at Groundwork Wales said: “Having worked alongside communities across the UK for over 30 years, we know that local people are passionate about the parks and open spaces in their neighbourhoods and that they know how best to improve the places they love.

?“We’re delighted to be extending the deadline for applications to ensure as many communities as possible are able to take advantage of this funding and ensure it makes a big difference in the places that matter to them.”