CRICKLADE Bloomers has been selected by Tesco as one of its Bags of Help recipients and the group is urging shoppers in the town to back their cause.

Bags of Help is Tesco’s flagship community grant scheme and supports thousands of local good causes throughout the country.

When customers shop in stores across North Wiltshire and Swindon, they will receive a blue token which can be used to vote for any one of three charitable bodies.

The organisation that receives the most votes will be given a £5,000 grant by Tesco, the runner-up will receive £2,000 and the third place cause will get £1,000.

The scheme is funded by the 5p carrier bag tax but shoppers do not need to have bought a bag to request a token.

Cricklade Bloomers are hoping shoppers will support them as they look to raise £18,000 to help renovate their new premises which is located just off the High Street.

Bob Jones, vice chairman of Cricklade Bloomers, said: “We are a group of people whose motto is ‘Making Cricklade a Better Place’.

“We are trying to raise money to build a wall around our garden as it’s a planning condition on the lease of the land we have got.”

The group moved to their new location after working out of member’s back gardens and garages for the past three and a half years.

Bob said: “It’s not been conducive to what we’re trying to do but the new place is really giving us an identity.

“Completion of the wall will give us the final piece in our jigsaw.”

Cricklade Bloomers started out as the Cricklade in Bloom group and in 2011 they became champion of champions, scooping the top prize in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom competition.

They are now responsible for maintaining more than 50 hanging baskets, 20 tree baskets, 16 flower beds and eight three-tier planters around the town and rely entirely on donations and the goodwill of its members.

Residents have until the end of June to vote for Cricklade Bloomers in Tesco stores.