COMMUNITY groups in need of support throughout the coronavirus pandemic could be in line for a £500 grant.

Tesco has unveiled a £30 million package of support for communities currently tackling the outbreak.

The initiative will see the supermarket chain provide an additional £15 million worth of food to charities FareShare and the Trussell Trust, on top of a £1 million cash donation split between the two organisations.

The company will also donate £2 million to the British Red Cross, to assist with the extra costs the charity faces.

Its Bags of Help scheme aims to support as many community groups as possible across the country with grants of £500, including women's refuges, foodbanks, hospices and homeless charities.

Dave Lewis, Tesco group CEO, said: "Our stores are at the heart of the communities we serve and as well as supporting our customers and colleagues, we want to help those who need it most.

"We will significantly boost our food donations programme, to ensure food banks and community groups have the supplies they need; whilst giving extra resources to the British Red Cross and focus our Bags of Help scheme to deliver more community support where its most needed at this difficult time.”

Groups interested in applying can visit tescobagsofhelp.org.uk.