COMMUNITY causes as well as Dorset lifesavers have benefited from a bumper cash boost.

Co-op supermarkets in Bridport and Beaminster held celebration events to thank shoppers for donating to the causes - while also letting everyone know which groups they will be supporting in the coming year.

By scanning a customer's membership card, money from that order goes towards local community causes of their choice.

Groups receiving a funding boost chosen by Bridport Co-op members at the Sea Road North store were Bridport Community Kitchen (£2,442); Bridport Millennium Green (£2,162); Bridport Young Performers (£2,137).

Meanwhile, a fantastic sum of £75,000 was donated to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance through customers donating and buying books for 50p on the bookshelves near the tills. This money will pay for 25 helicopter call-outs.

Bridport and Beaminster Co-op member pioneer Lesley Windsor said: "As community is so important to us, the Bridport store is so proud to have enabled customers to raise such an incredible amount of money for the air ambulance. Not only has it saved lives but customers say what a great resource the book shelves are to them."

At the celebration event, shoppers were treated to a song performed by the Bridport Young Performers from their forthcoming musical The Addams Family which can be seen at the Electric Palace from December 18-21.

The next groups being supported are Bridport Youth Club and St Andrew's Pre-School.

There were also celebrations at the Beaminster Public Hall following funds given by the town's Co-op in The Square.

Lesley Windsor said: "We were hosted by the Ripple Workshop, a group of young parents who are using food from Beaminster Community Fridge to make a lunch and invite the wider Beaminster community to join them, especially those who need company. They are one of our new local causes along with a project to plant a community orchard with Beaminster School students.

"The hall got even busier when a group of children and staff from Beaminster Pre-School came to pick up their cheque as last year's local cause. Co-op members had raised £5,691 for them, the Cricket Academy, and The Shire at Crockermoor."

She added: "I would like to thank Co-op members for giving such great support to their community and remind them to use their membership card when paying at the tills as this is how we get money to our local causes. You can use the Co-op app or website to choose the cause you would like to donate to."