COMMUNITY groups who will receive a share of money raised by the 5p charge on supermarket carrier bags have been named by environment charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

More than 200 groups will receive grants of £250 for projects to will help improve their local environment and create 'cleaner, greener and happier places'.

Among those selected are neighbourhood associations, volunteer groups and not-for-profit bodies, including the Barra and Vatersay Agricultural and Horticultural Association in Argyll and Bute, the Stracathro Parent Council in Angus and the Woodhill Residents Group in East Dunbartonshire.

Projects bagging a share of the cash, which comes from the Community Grant Scheme collected by Tesco, include litter pick-ups, flower planting and fruit tree growing.

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "The community grants announced today provide a great opportunity for local groups to help them start making small local environmental improvements. We know the benefits to our health, sense of civic pride and pleasure to visitors and residents alike that can be derived from these small scale improvements - I have no doubt that these awards will inspire continued endeavour amongst some of our country's community volunteers.

"The scheme demonstrates the difference the carrier bag charge can make to our local environments and we're grateful to Tesco and its customers, for making this possible."

Josh Hardie, Tesco Corporate Responsibility Director added: "We are proud to be partnering with Keep Scotland Beautiful. Together, we have a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the environment and communities across Scotland.

"The awards announced today from the Community Grant Scheme will make places and spaces all over Scotland cleaner and greener. The scheme is a great way to redistribute the money our customers have given through the bag charge to support local groups doing great environmental work in their local area."