Supermarket giant Tesco has pledged to use the monies raised from the new 5p carrier bag charge to improve outdoor sports and other green community spaces across the UK.

A new law which came into force on 5 October means that supermarket customers will have to pay 5p for every single use carrier bag unless they reuse their own bags.

A spokesperson said Tesco – which has more than 3,500 stores in the UK – would pass on all of the revenue made from the bag charges to improve outdoor spaces.

“The money raised from the 5p bag charge in the UK will be used to pay for a large number of local projects to improve green spaces in communities right across the UK,” he said.

“Projects that will get the green light as a result of the funding will include building new pocket parks, sports facilities, woodland walks and community gardens.

“Administration of the local funding will be handled by environmental improvement charity Groundwork, which specialises in transforming local green spaces for the better.”

Groundwork is an environmental charity which works across the UK helping communities find practical solutions to the challenges they face.

Tesco is inviting local community groups and charities to apply for the funding – which will be made available annually to six projects in each of 428 “Tesco regions” (2,568 projects in total).

The amount of funding available for individual projects will range from £8,000 to £12,000. In total, the scheme will invest anywhere between £20m and £31m in community spaces each year.

There are two voting rounds a year and initial nominations – which can be made by anyone – will be whittled down to three good causes that customers can choose from to vote for in each area. Administration of the local funding will be handled by Groundwork.

The first funding round of the programme will close at noon on 27 November 2015.

To read more about the scheme and to nominate a local project for funding, see the Tesco Community Scheme website here.