COMMUNITY groups are set to benefit from a supermarket funding scheme.

A total of 15 causes are due to receive several thousand pounds from the Co-Op’s Local Community Fund.

These include The Bridge at Leigh and the Red Rose Steam Society Ltd, which holds the lease for the Lancashire Mining Museum.

Last year, 12 groups in Leigh shared £59,422.

When Co-op members buy own-brand products they receive a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to causes.

Members can decide how the money is allocated to causes, and are encouraged to select the ones they wish to support online.

Director of community engagement at the Co-op Rebecca Birkbeck said: “Last year we invested £19 million in over 4,000 groups UK-wide, supporting a wide range of initiatives.

"By choosing their local cause, our members are telling us what really matters in their communities.”