From now until Christmas, if you dine at a Bradford restaurant, you can help the homeless by adding just £1 to your bill.

But so far only six out of around 400 restaurants in the district have signed up for the charity scheme.

Last night the owners of those restaurants sat down to dinner to launch the campaign, run by the charity StreetSmart - and made an urgent appeal for others to get involved.

The StreetSmart campaign, backed by the Telegraph & Argus, will run during November and December, traditionally the busiest time for restaurants in the run-up to Christmas. The cash raised goes to organisations helping the homeless.

Last year more than £14,000 was raised in Bradford and Leeds. In Bradford three organisations - Bradford Soup Run, St Mary's Refuge, and Bradford Nightstop - received £2,070.

This year co-ordinator Simon Dunn wrote to 110 Bradford district restaurants inviting them to take part, but only half a dozen have agreed.

"I'm very disappointed with the lack of interest," Mr Dunn said. "There seems to be a negative view of it because it involves asking people for money - but it's only £1 per table and if people don't want to donate it they don't have to.

"Not everyone likes giving money to homeless people in the street. This is a painless, straightforward way of making a donation, which goes directly to organisations in the locality. When you're out for a meal isn't it good to know you're doing your bit for those for whom dining out isn't an option?"

The Bradford restaurants taking part are Bossa Nova, Shipley; La Rue, Saltaire; Yo Yo Cafe, Little Germany; Aakash, Cleckheaton; Thai Fever, Shipley; and The Old Tramshed, Saltaire. In Leeds there is No 3 York Place; Artis Bar Cafe; Mantra; Medina, and Fourth Floor, Harvey Nichols.

Last night's launch was at Thai Fever, which opened this month. Owner Sally Niu said: "Homeless organisations really need this money. It's a great way to help - every donation counts."

Bev Johnson, co-ordinator of Nightstop, said the StreetSmart handout has funded an educational programme to raise awareness of homelessness among young people.

"By going into schools and talking to young people, showing them videos about the reality of homelessness and giving them information, we hope to demystify the issue and show it can happen to anyone," she said. "I'd urge everyone to support StreetSmart - it's a simple way to remember others less fortunate while we're privileged enough to go out for a meal."

More than 300 restaurants across Britain are taking part in the scheme, which in the words of StreetSmart supporter Stephen Fry has become "as much a seasonal presence on the menu as parsnips and winter greens".

Set up in 1998 with a whip-round at London's Groucho Club, StreetSmart has raised more than £1 million.

StreetSmart director, Nick Emley said: "With the help of the restaurant community, we try to provide some funding towards projects aimed at guiding people living rough back into society.

"The organisations we fund provide immediate comfort, and enable people to pick up the pieces of their lives and regain their self-esteem by enhancing their life skills and education."

Restaurants wishing to take part should contact Simon Dunn on (01274) 742888.

Pictured at the Thai Fever launch are, from left, David Woolley, Sally Niu, Simon Dunn, Michael Menehan and Juliet Marshall.