BRADFORDIANS are being urged to buy and donate an extra Easter egg to help put a smile on the faces of disadvantaged children across the district.

Members of the Bradford Junior Chamber International (JCI) ran a pilot Easter egg appeal last year, with the target of collecting 1,000 to be distributed to local youngsters.

The group received 1,070 eggs from schools and businesses who embraced the appeal, and members are hoping to surpass that figure this year.

The format is similar to the group's Secret Santa appeal, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and has raised the equivalent of more than £300,000 over the past decade.

Michelle Pemberton, community director at JCI Bradford, said: "Before this year's appeal had even started, I was overwhelmed by the amount of promises of help from our previous volunteers.

"We have got more than 20 companies and schools running mini-appeals so far.

"I feel humbled with the generosity and commitment to Bradford's disadvantaged communities from everyone wanting to get involved.

"It's a very worthwhile project bringing a little happiness to families and children at Easter, and 2014 was a phenomenal success.

"Let's make it another great year."

The schools currently involved in this year's appeal are Bradford Grammar School, Blakehill Primary School, Oxenhope Primary School, and Bankfoot Primary School.

A number of Bradford-based businesses and organisations are also running mini-appeals, including Gordans LLP, Whiteoaks Respite Unit, BEF, Christeyns, Greggs in the Kirkgate Centre, Asda in Shipley, the Family Learning Service, Co-operative Funeralcare on Allerton Road, UnLtd, Cygnet Hospital at Wyke, Intouch Advance, UKAR, Packetts, and Incommunities.

Anyone wanting to donate eggs to the appeal can hand them in at Pennine Cycles, on Thornton Road in Bradford, with the bike shop volunteering to act as a public drop-off point for JCI.

Sandra Corcoran, the shop's owner, said: "We're delighted to help in a small way to support children in the Bradford district.

"We want to support the JCI in achieving their target of well over 1,000 Easter eggs."

The eggs will be collected up until Friday, March 20, after which they will be distributed to disadvantaged children across the district by local charities.

Any organisations wishing to organise a mini-appeal in their workplace, or offer to help arrange or store the donated eggs, are asked to send an e-mail to michelle@jcibradford.org.uk.