Shopper pledges hundreds to local charities if crowned winner by voters

Michael Bernard, 61, of Hamilton Terrace, reached the final fifteen after 6,000 people entered a competition run by loyalty card company Nectar.

"I got an email from Nectar, along with ten million other people," he said. "Originally I thought it would be a good idea to try and use it to promote the environment, but then I thought, I can do it for the town as well."

Michael is now head-to-head with the other finalists in an on-line voting poll which will gift the winner, announced after voting ends on October 11, with 40,000 nectar points.

Michael said: "The winner gets 500 and a short Eurostar holiday in Paris as well.

"But if I win I will donate 500 to WWF and at least 400, equivalent to the value of the holiday, to four Bexhill environmental and animal causes."

He plans to give 100 each to Barby Keel, Bexhill Against Landfill and Incineration (BALI), Highwoods Preservation Society, and the fledgling group he recently launched, Bexhill Environmental Group (BEG), which meets for the first time at 7pm on August 4 in the Community Meeting Room, Old Bank Chambers.

He has also promised 200 - the equivalent of 40,000 nectar points, to Greenpeace.

"I don't want to gain anything at all in a personal way from winning the competition," he said. "I just want to use this competition to help Bexhill and the environment."

Vote for Michael at savvy.nectar.com.