A CHRISTMAS extravaganza has been boosted by a donation of £1,000.

Wokingham Winter Carnival was selected as part of Tesco's community grant scheme.

Funds donated by the Bags of Help campaign will now be used to help the organisers deliver another successful event.

The free annual spectacular is held in Wokingham Town Centre on Sunday, November 25.

Philip Mirfin, the chair of the carnival committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this money by Tesco and it will be used towards the costs of the entertainment and laser show.

"In order to make this a free event for the community we rely on our business supporters. Through this scheme Tesco has joined other local businesses, making it possible to bring such a large scale, fun event to Wokingham.

"We are also really grateful to all those people who took the time to vote for us."

As well as a variety of stalls, a funfair, street entertainment and Santa’s Grotto, this year will see the return of the parade followed by the switching on of the Christmas tree lights and a laser show.

Alec Brown, Tesco’s head of community, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success and we have been overwhelmed by the response from customers.

"It is such a special scheme because it is local people who decide how the money will be spent in their community. We can’t wait to see the projects come to life.”

Bags of Help, run in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork, gives customers the choice of which local project they would like to get the top award using a token given to them at the checkout.

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s national chief executive, said: “Bags of Help continues to enable local communities up and down Britain to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them.

"The diversity of projects that are being funded shows that local communities have a passion to create something great in their area. We are pleased to be able to be a part of the journey and provide support and encouragement to help local communities thrive.”

Visit: tesco.com/bagsofhelp for more information.