ALL that paying five pence for a carrier bag is beginning to pay off for Denbighshire shoppers.

A new £1 million fund - from the charge on single-use plastic carrier bags in Wales- has been launched by Co-Op’s charity, The Co-Op Foundation to benefit groups in Wales with a community and environmental focus.

Denbighshire groups can bag grants of up to £10,000 to explore enterprising ideas that could contribute to a more sustainable future for their community space.

In addition, interest-free loans of up to £50,000 are available to organisations to grow more established business ideas.

Loans are usually repaid within five years with no need to make repayments in the first year. Some organisations could be eligible for a further grant dependent upon circumstances.

Eligible organisations must engage local people and support the environment, and applications close at noon on Friday, 21 June.

For more information The Co-op Foundation, and details of how to apply to the new fund, visit coopfoundation.org.uk