BOROUGH of Poole has bagged £10,000 funding from Tesco after its successful bid to its Bags of Help initiative.

The cash-strapped council put in the bid to help fund improvements to disabled access at the town's beaches as part of its 'Life's a Beach' project.

Shoppers in stores across the area were able to used tokens handed out at the checkout to vote on how to distribute grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 - all raised from the 5p bag levy – to three local environmental and greenspace projects. The council's bid came in second - securing the £10,000 grant.

The other two groups set to benefit are the shoppers' favourite choice, Dorset Wildlife Trust, which will get £12,000 for pathway and signage improvements at Upton Heath, and the Wareham Tree of Life and Laughter Community Garden, which is to get £8,000.

Borough of Poole is set to put the money towards the purchase of a MobiMat for Sandbanks Beach and three beach wheelchairs, enabling disabled and wheelchair-bound beach users to have full access to the beaches and the sea.

A spokesman for the council said: "Peak tourist times, such as bank holiday weekends, can be a reminder of how many places remain inaccessible to them. As our beaches are one of Poole’s most attractive and popular assets, it is important to us that all of our residents are able to enjoy and access them without limits."

The Mobi-Mat provides access over the sand and the Mobi Chair can be taken onto the beach and even into the sea.

Cllr John Rampton, portfolio holder for environment, Borough of Poole, said he was "absolutely delighted", adding: “This will help to make Poole’s beaches more attractive and accessible to both our residents and visitors. I look forward to seeing the benefits and enjoyment that the Mobi-Mat and Mobi Chair will bring.”

The Bags of Help initiative, is a joint project by the supermarket and Groundwork, a national project which backs green projects. It saw more than 4,500 groups up and down the country apply for grants - which were whittled down to three in each of Tesco’s regions. Eight million shoppers voted in stores nationwide.

Nominations and applications for the next round of Bags of Help funding will open on April 18. As well as applying direct, suggestions for projects can also be nominated by people living locally.