THE Coop has announced £70,000 in festive funding for groups across Chard and Ilminster.

The money will be shared by 19 organisations which make a different to the community.

Included in the list is Chard Museum Audio Guides and Ilminster Youth Theatre.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of community engagement at the co-op, said: “Since the launch of the local community fund our members have helped 12,000 organisations to make a positive difference in their neighbourhoods, and in the last 12 months alone we have invested £19m in local causes.

“The fund is now supporting a wide variety of local organisations, from village halls and support groups to education providers and neighbourhood watch schemes, all of which are helping to make Chard and Ilminster better, happier, and healthier places to live.”