Prince Charles has stamped his Royal seal of approval on the Bradford Cares scheme.

He has sent his endorsement of the project in a letter to the Telegraph & Argus from St James's Palace.

It is another coup for the Bradford Cares project which was launched last week and gives businesses and their employees the chance to put something back into the community.

Companies and organisations like the Yorkshire Building Society and the Inland Revenue are already pitching in to help members of their communities who may simply be in need of volunteers.

But the Prince's stamp of approval will provide a massive boost for the scheme.

Bradford Cares co-ordinator Jo Crossley said: "Everyone at Bradford Cares is delighted that Prince Charles has given his support for the initiative.

"This is just another boost to the fantastic response we have had from business across the Bradford district.

"The Prince is heavily involved with Business in the Community, which is the group behind Bradford Cares, and became its chairman in 1995 so it is a double honour to have him on board.

"We're hoping the Prince's support will encourage even more business to contact us and help makes Bradford Cares even more successful."

In his letter Prince Charles speaks of the benefit to the community of Bradford Cares and congratulates everyone taking part in the scheme.

A series of action days will be held on June 7, 8, and 9, where volunteers, or "time-givers" can be involved in projects as diverse as serving pupils breakfast before they start school to planting trees for a conservation group.

A key element of Bradford Cares is that its own staff broker the events between the businesses and the community groups - but the volunteers manage and organise the challenges.

Before the action days there will be a team leaders course held in Pudsey tomorrow where company volunteers will be trained on how to run a volunteer day.

As part of the launch Miss Crossley has asked readers to write to the T&A with suggestions of community and non-profit making organisations which would benefit from the scheme.

She said: "We are looking for practical one-off projects, for example decorating, gardening, tidying, for community groups."

Anyone with suggestions should send them to: Charles Heslett, City Centre reporter, Telegraph & Argus, Hall Ings, BD1 1JR.

All suggestions will then be forwarded to Miss Crossley at Bradford Cares for consideration.

For more information about Bradford Cares write to Jo Crossley, Bradford Cares Co-ordinator, Business in the Community, Progress House, 99, Bradford Road, Pudsey, LS28 6AJ, or call 0113 2361888, fax 0113 2360555 or e-mail jcrossley@bitc.org.uk.