An army of caring Council workers could dramatically swell the ranks of volunteers taking part in the Bradford Cares initiative.

Bradford Council, which employs 23,000 staff, could become a major partner of the project which the Telegraph & Argus helped to launch this week.

Jo Crossley, Bradford Cares co-ordinator, said the Council had a vast knowledge of community groups which would benefit from involvement with the initiative.

Businesses have joined forces across the district to back the scheme - which offers their employees the chance to give something back to the people around them.

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

Major companies and organisations such as the Yorkshire Building Society and the Inland Revenue are already signed up as founding partners.

And according to Owen Williams, the Council's head of marketing and communications, the feeling among Council workers is one of great enthusiasm for the initiative.

He said: "Bradford Cares has submitted a proposal to the chief executive about how the Council can get involved corporately and that's currently under consideration.

"But I am aware that some departments have already established groups of volunteers and there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the project."

If the Council did lend its support it would open up a huge pool of volunteers.

Miss Crossley said: "It would be very important for us if the Council did come on board as it has a vast knowledge of the areas which would benefit from what Bradford Cares can offer."