VOLUNTEERS at a country park are hoping to win cash from a supermarket initiative for community projects.

Cosmeston Countryside Volunteers are aiming to secure funds from Tesco's Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch the monthly funding scheme, which sees grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag charge – being awarded to local outdoor community projects.

Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and this month shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park first opened to the public in 1978 and was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2013.

Volunteers are involved with habitat management, woodland work, grassland cutting and raking, footpath resurfacing and installing gates and stiles.

With volunteer numbers increasing there is a need for additional equipment to enable the team to continue with their valued work for many years to come

Voting is open in stores from January 2-28.

Those who wish to vote need to make a purchase within store of any value.

They will then receive one token per transaction and it's not necessary to purchase a carrier bag in order to receive a token.

Customers can cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

The Bags of Help project has already delivered over £24 million to more than 2,400 projects up and down the UK.

Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups each month.

At the end of each month, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.