Bradford’s Credit Union is performing “exceptionally well”, according to its chief executive, as the organisation expands its network further across the district.

St Stephen’s in West Bowling has become the first church to be a centre for the union, and a branch has also opened at Ingrow Primary School in Keighley.

The union, which provides a low-cost alternative to loan sharks and payday loan companies, unveiled its new city centre base in Cheapside in October.

Andrew Bowker, chief executive of the credit union, said: “We are only a small union, but we have tripled our members in the last month and this is a chance to open our service up to a bigger population, accessing communities where people need this type of account.

“We want to educate people to become financially aware before they panic and jump straight to a payday loan lender. We try to encourage financial inclusion, showing people they can save and borrow responsibly without owing an unrealistic amount.”

As part of its Shine project, St Stephen’s Church provides credit union services on Mondays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and Fridays from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

Sarah Hinton, the church’s community engagement co-ordinator, said: “We wanted to respond as a church to the problems and suffering caused by debt and loan sharks.

“We have seen the damage payday loan companies have caused to people in our area and wanted to provide a different solution. The credit union enables people to borrow at a low interest rate and encourages them to save money.”

The BDCU revealed in September it had seen a 20 per cent increase in lending to £1 million in August 2013.

More details are available by calling (01274) 434100, or by visiting bodcu.co.uk.