AN ENVIRONMENTAL charity which looks after one of Oxfordshire's most popular beauty spots is bidding to bag a cash boost to improve a community wood.

The Earth Trust, which owns land around Wittenham Clumps near Didcot, is seeking funding from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative to make Neptune Wood more accessible for young families and the disabled.

From now until October 9 shoppers at Tesco stores in Didcot, Abingdon and Faringdon will be asked to vote for one of three shortlisted environmental projects to win the top grant of £12,000.

The second and third place projects will receive £10,000 and £8,000 as part of the £12.5m giveaway, all raised from the 5p plastic bag levy.

Jayne Manley, chief executive of the Earth Trust, said: "Neptune Wood was planted in 2005 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

"It’s now grown into a wonderful community woodland that includes an open, grassy area dotted with living willow sculptures, which is perfect for picnics and playing.

"Ten years on it’s time to give Neptune Wood some TLC.

"The money will be used to make the site more wheelchair and pushchair-friendly, and to install informal seating to assist our older and less mobile visitors, who often find it difficult to access and enjoy greenspaces.

"We’ll also improve the signs and notice boards and introduce new nature trails that will bring this timber trail to life if we secure the top level of funding.”

Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork on its Bags of Help initiative, which awards the grants to environmental projects in each of the supermarket’s 416 regions.

Lindsey Crompton, head of community at Tesco, said: “The first round of the Bags of Help initiative was a fantastic success.

"In total 1,170 community groups were awarded £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000 - that’s a massive £11.7 million being invested into local projects.

For further information visit earthtrust.org.uk