Bradford Cares - that's the message as businesses pitched in to help the community.

Now in its second year, the scheme has got off to a flyer with businesses across Bradford providing staff to undertake a range of jobs at community centres, playgroups and schools.

Some 18 companies now participate in the scheme which runs nationally.

Jo Crossley, Bradford Cares co-ordinator, said the scheme was doing extremely well in breaking barriers and building bridges.

"We have had 300 people volunteering to take part over the past three days. The theme this year is the environment so we have projects from setting up nature trails to building playgrounds. The enthusiasm from volunteers has been really amazing and they have had a fantastic time.

"It is also an excellent opportunity to get people from different backgrounds together. It is a really good experience and we are glad that it is becoming more widely known."

Companies like the Inland Revenue planted herbs and plants for adults with learning disabilities at Brunel Support Works, Thornton Road, and a group from Barclays Bank built a playtrain to help youngsters at the Gingerbread centre, Barkerend.

And teams from Northern Electric and Hallmark Cards built bridges - literally - as they constructed two footbridges at Heaton Woods.

David Astley, honorary secretary of Heaton Woods Trust, which is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year, praised the two teams who worked tirelessly to complete the work.

"Both teams did an excellent job. They concentrated on the footbridges and worked extremely hard to finish the work.

"They shifted ten tonnes of rubble to create the pathway and now mothers with prams and the disabled will be able to enjoy the woods."

And the Telegraph & Argus has helped out at Baildon Community Link.

David Woodcock, distribution manager at the Telegraph & Argus, said a team had laid a path and put in a new fence.

"We got involved last year and this was a good opportunity to extend and develop the work," he said. "We have made a barbecue area, and a fence and a lawned area."