Bradford-based Yorkshire Building Society has started a community initiative designed to support good causes.

The society will now be giving away £43,000 to worthy causes through its Charity Choices campaign, unveiled at its Howard House branch today.

The programme will see each branch across the county, 43 in total, giving away £1,000 to worthy causes throughout the year.

Staff at each branch, including those in Bank Street, Bradford, and Towngate, Wyke, have nominated three Bradford charities to receive a share. The number of votes received by each charity from existing customers and the public using the branches by the end of the two-week voting period will determine the amount of money each charity receives.

The one with the most votes will receive a £500 donation. The second-placed charity will receive £300 and there will be a £200 donation to the charity in third place.

Charities nominated at the Howard House branch are SNOOP, care and support for children and young adults with disabilities and their families; Marie Curie Cancer Care Bradford, caring for the terminally ill and supporting their families in and around the Bradford area; and Bradford City FC Community Foundation, providing day trips to sporting events for local disabled children.