COLLEGE students in Alloa will have a chance to de-stress with four-legged friends thanks to Wee County shoppers.

Forth Valley College is set to receive £500 from Tesco's Stronger Start scheme which will be used to fund more Paws Against Stress sessions at the Alloa campus.

It will support students with their mental health and wellbeing and comes after shoppers in the nearby supermarket used their tokens to support three worthy causes.

The initiative at the college, delivered by charity Canine Concern, came third after the recent round of voting and is an important event that offers students a chance to relax.

David Gentles, learning skills and resource assistant at the college, said: “We are thrilled to be awarded this funding from Tesco’s Stronger Start scheme.

“We will use it to fund more Paws Against Stress sessions where dogs are brought into the college for students to pet.

“This has become an important event within the Learning Resource Centre calendar, offering students a chance to relax and de-stress during  periods where stress levels might increase such as exam time.

“Once again a big thank you to Tesco for helping us to do this and thanks to everyone who voted for us at the local Tesco store in Alloa."

To boost funds for extra food and activity equipment, Tesco is introducing a £5million grant programme, in partnership with Groundwork UK, to give children across the UK a stronger start in life.

The grants will help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, and equipment for healthy activities.

Tesco’s Stronger Starts – previously Tesco Bags of Help and Tesco Community Grants – has already provided more than £110m to more than 60,000 projects.

Tony McElroy, Tesco’s head of communications in Scotland, said: “Tesco Stronger Starts help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”

The scheme is run in partnership with greenspace scotland and community charity Groundwork, who has awarded grants to thousands of local community projects every year.

Funding is available to community groups and charities, visit tescoplc.com/strongerstarts for more information.