A learning disability charity is to receive thousands of pounds thanks to a scheme.

Watford & District Mencap are in line to gain the financial boost after being selected as part of the Co-op's community fund which shares £20m across 4,000 good causes.

With 40 per cent of all charities surviving on an income of less than £10,000, the Co-op scheme provides a considerable proportion of funding for many local good causes.

When a Co-op member buys own-brand products from food stores or a funeral plan or funeral from Funeralcare they earn a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local good causes.

By joining the Co-op’s membership scheme shoppers can contribute to the money raised for the good causes, and they can choose which of these causes they wish to support by logging on to the Co-op’s membership website at www.coop.co.uk/membership

Andy Tomlinson, area manager for Co-op food stores, said: “As a community retailer we want to support the causes that matter most to Co-op members in the area such as Watford & District Mencap, so we would urge people to visit us online to choose who they would like to support, and then shop with us to ensure the good causes get the most out of the fund.

“Nationwide the local community fund is making a real difference to charities and good causes throughout the country. Since we launched the membership scheme in September 2016, 8,000 organisations have shared £20 million, and we are confident that this year we will raise a further £20 million to be shared amongst the latest 4,000 causes.”