A COMMUNITY sports court for Saundersfoot is in the bag, thanks to a supermarket giant’s new grant scheme.

Work can now start soon on the village's long-awaited Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) after the project has been named as one of three in Pembrokeshire to receive a share of £30,000 from Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative.

But it is now up to the public to cast their votes to determine what proportion of the pot is received by the Saundersfoot scheme - either £8,000, £10,000 or £12,000.

The plan to create a MUGA on the double tennis court site adjacent to the village’s Regency Hall has been a goal of Saundersfoot Community Council for a number of years.

“So the news that we are to receive one of the Tesco grants is wonderful for the village,” said the council’s vice-chairman, Sue Boughton-Thomas. “What we need now is for everyone to back the MUGA scheme with their votes to ensure that we win the Pembrokeshire poll and the £12,000.”

A donation of £1,000 from the Saunders foot Buffs Club is already in the MUGA pot, and a grant of £8,000 will enable the area to be lit and equipped for various sports including netball, basketball and five-a-side football,with an illuminated single tennis court adjoining.

“If we receive the £12,000 grant, that would enable us to extend the project even further and we could convert the top tennis court into a green gym area, or even a skate park,” said Councillor Boughton-Thomas. “The scheme will enable children and people of all ages, whether locals or visitors, to enjoy a range of outdoor sports in a safe and secure, well-lit environment.”

Tesco’s Bags of Help fund is supported by the £11.5million raised by the UK’s 5p single-use carrier bag charge. There are 1,170 organisations in the UK who are receiving a share.

Shoppers in Tesco Express in Saundersfoot, Tenby and Goodwick and Tesco Extra in Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest will be given a token to use to cast their vote before March 6.