A NATIONAL supermarket is inviting grassroots projects in York to apply for a community funding programme.

Co-op is encouraging causes in the city that support access to food, help improve mental wellbeing or provide opportunities for young people, to apply for the 'Local Community Fund'.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community and shared value at the Co-op said: "Our Co-op vision is ‘co-operating for a fairer world’ and it’s heartening to see this come to life in these grass roots projects.

"Our Local Community Fund and support from our members has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic, and we want even more local groups to take advantage of this opportunity."

Co-op carried out a survey which asked over 3,000 local causes across the country how the pandemic has affected their groups and communities.

The research found that 95 per cent of causes said their project was helping their community’s response to the pandemic.

Applications are open from May 4 - 30 on the Co-op website. The scheme has supported 526 local causes in York, raising over £1,629,500 since it began in 2016.