HIGH Royds Memorial Garden is in line for a grant of thousands of pounds.

But exactly how much is down to Ilkley shoppers.

Tesco customers in Ilkley are being invited to vote for whether it should receive £12,000, £10,000 or £8,000 – money all raised by the 5p bag levy and being awarded to environmental and community projects in Ilkley and Shipley as part of Tesco's Bags of Help initiative.

The Menston memorial garden is up again Haworth and Shipley-based projects Haw-earth and Hirst Wood Regeneration Community Interest Company in the voting process.

Being selected as one of the three finalists to receive a grant means further development work can start.

The three-acre garden and wood is based on a former derelict psychiatric hospital’s unmarked paupers’ graveyard for 2,861 ex patients, which was abandoned in 1969 and became a disgrace to the area ... a disgrace that is now becoming a symbol of hope.

Friends of High Royds Memorial Garden chairman, Dr Ron Sweeney, said: “The Tesco grant with the help of local firms and volunteers, including students from St Mary’s Roman Catholic Voluntary Academy, will enable us to progress further in creating a peaceful and pleasant environment and preserving some of Britain’s important green spaces.”

Voting is open in store until March 6. Customers will be able to vote using a token given to them at the check-out.

Shoppers can vote at the Ilkley store in Springs Lane; Ilkley Express, Riversides, Ben Rydding; Crossflatts Express, 1-2, Keighley Road; and Baildon Express, Otley Road, Baildon.

All three finalists will receive a grant depending on the number of votes cast.

Caroline Silke, head of community at Tesco, said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing how our customers will vote in Ilkley and Shipley and these three great local projects coming to life.”

The bag charge was introduced in England on October 5.

Nominations and applications for the next round of Bags of Help funding will open in April.