Christmas has come early for causes across Dorset after a £90,000 festive boost from the Co-op.

The money will be shared by 24 organisations, all of whom are making a difference to communities throughout the region.

These include Purbeck Youth and Community Foundation, The Phoenix-Beaminster Youth Club, and Dorset Search and Rescue, who will use the money to buy equipment for new members.

This is the latest round of pay outs from the fund generated by over 80,000 Co-op members in the county, and means overall the Co-op has invested £193,000 in 72 groups in Dorset since the membership scheme launched in September 2016.

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.