MORE than £2,500 of funding has been handed out to three local groups thanks to Co-op shoppers.

On Tuesday (November 26) staff from Co-op Funeralcare in Adam Street gave out cheques to representatives from Burnham and Highbridge Sea Cadets, West Huntspill Under Fives Group and Burnham & Highbridge Choral Society.

The funds were raised by Co-op members who gave 1 per cent of what they spent on selected Co-op products and services to the supermarket chain’s local community fund.

Sam Devereux, funeral arranger at Co-op Funeralcare in Burnham-on-Sea, said: “Our members have raised an amazing £17m for over 4,000 local causes.

“Co-op members can chose which local cause they want their 1 per cent to go to.

“The Big Co-op pay out is our chance to thank our members for helping us to give back.

“We’re now able to confirm how much has been raised for each cause in our community.

“We choose new causes for our community every 12 months

“This time we have given £877.40 to Burnham and Highbridge Sea Cadets, £868.87 to West Huntspill Under Fives Group and £912 to Burnham & Highbridge Choral Society.

“It’s fantastic to be part of Co-op and to be able to give back to our local community causes.”

The Co-op is inviting local groups who would like to get funding to get involved in the next Big Co-op payout.

To get involved visit membership.coop.co.uk and sign up to become a member for £1 and choose a local cause to support.