Students are set to enjoy a back to school boost after shopper's spending has seen two donations given out.

Stepping Stones Pre-School in Bridport and Beaminster Playgroup are the latest groups to receive a donation thanks to the Co-op's local community fund.

Since the fund was launched in September, 2016, a total of £3,100,000 has been shared amongst more than 3,000 schools, colleges and skills development initiatives in the UK, 22 of which are located in Dorset.

Co-op members, who receive a five per cent reward for themselves with a further one per cent going to local causes when they buy own-brand products, have a say in how the money is allocated, and are encouraged to select the organisations they wish to support online.

Money from the sale of 5p bags has also gone towards the fund.

At Stepping Stones Pre-School, the money was used to buy things such as child-friendly seating, educational play-mats, toys resources focusing on mathematics, as well as providing mathematics and literacy-based training for staff.

Eira Tuck, pre-school leader, said: "We had our funds from the Co-op but didn't spend the money immediately.

"We got ideas from the parents and the children as to what they would like.

"We purchased some new resources for our book corner."

For Beaminster Playgroup, the money was used for a networking activity with their local school.

A spokesman for Beaminster Playgroup said: "We wanted to provide all day care for the children in the local area by running a lunch club.

"As we do not have space in our room, we join local primary school pupils in their hall and have a table just for the playgroup children.

"The money has been used to pay for a member of staff to sit with the children and assist with their packed lunches.

"This has meant that 11 of our parents have been able to return to part-time work by their children doing whole days with ourselves."

The latest donation means that £42,000 has been donated in Dorset as result of the scheme.

Rebecca Birkbeck, director of Community Engagement at the Co-op, said: "Support for young people and learning is an integral part of the Co-op's ethos, whether it is through the local community fund, our apprentice programme or our support for academies.

"Along with our members, we strongly believe that by backing young people, we are not only equipping them for the future, but also helping to make their communities a better, happier, and healthier place for everyone."

Earlier this year, the Co-op announced it was putting a further £3.6 million into its academies programme to kick-start the next growth phase.

To find out more about the Co-op local community fund, visit coop.co.uk/local-community-fund