Store giant Tesco is continuing its bid to win hearts and minds in Sheringham by setting up a �50,000 charity for local organisations.

The company has joined forces with the Norfolk Community Foundation to create the Tesco Sheringham Community Fund.

Local community groups and charities within a 15-mile radius of Sheringham will be able to apply for small grants of up to �1,500 from the �50,000 pot of money over a two-and-a-half-year period.

There will be four waves of awards over the period, with the first payments made at Christmas this year.

A Tesco spokesman said: 'Tesco is proud to have worked in north Norfolk for many years. Not only do we enjoy serving the our customers in the shops, we also work with over 250 local suppliers in the region, including the Cromer Crab Company, The Norfolk Cake Company and Gressingham Duck.'

She added: 'When we won permission to build a new fire station, community centre and supermarket in Sheringham, we were inundated with requests for support from local charities.

'It soon became clear that rather than responding to them individually, it would make sense to set up this fund which could be managed independently by the NCF so that the money could be distributed fairly.

'We're really looking forward to being able to help the smaller charities in the region which may sometimes find it difficult to win grants from the larger trusts.'

After a long battle, Tesco won permission in 2010 to build a superstore, which will open next year on Cromer Road.

? To apply, visit www.norfolkfoundation.com