GREEN-fingered projects in north Trafford are to benefit from windfalls totalling £30,000.

Tesco Stretford teamed up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help initiative, which sees grants – all raised from the 5p bag levy – awarded to environmental and greenspace projects in the surrounding area.

Groups were entered into a public instore vote and the three winners have been revealed; Urmston Grammar School will be awarded £12,000, Community Forest Trust is to receive £10,000 and Gorgeous Gorse Hill will be awarded £8,000.

Bernadette Motiwala, a science teacher at Urmston Grammar, said: “We are over the moon about winning the public vote. All thanks to the fantastic support from pupils and their families and friends who voted for us.

“The main aim of the project is to increase wildlife diversity in our school grounds and our neighbouring primary schools: Urmston juniors, Urmston infants and English Martyrs.

“We have a garden in the school grounds where our sixth form students teach primary school children about processes such as pollination and composting and help them to sow seeds and nurture plants.

“The older children are lovely with the younger children. We will all enter the Tatton fruit and veg Trug competition this year. We want to increase the diversity of planting in the garden and make it an enjoyable and relaxing place for students to spend time.”

Another aim of the project is to raise awareness about climate change. This will include small wind turbines and solar cells placed in the school grounds for educational purposes, rain water harvesting and better composting facilities.

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 in the community.

For more information, visit tesco.com/carrier-bags.