FOUR Penarth charities could benefit from funding of up to £3,000 from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014.

Voting for the community fund, which aims to help local people have a positive impact at the heart of their community by giving grants to four good causes in each of the 350 communities across the UK, opens today, September 3.

The four community groups shortlisted are the Ty Hafan children's hospice, Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern, the Marie Curie Hospice and the JDRF South West and Wales diabetes charity.

Members of the public can now vote online, by SMS text message, by visiting a local Lloyds Bank branch and, for the first time, using Twitter.

The number of votes cast in each community will determine how Community Fund awards are allocated.

In each community the good cause that receives the most votes will receive a £3,000 award, with the second placed group receiving an award of £2,000, those in third and fourth place receiving £1,000 and £500 respectively.

Earlier this year, members of the public, Lloyds Bank customers and colleagues, nominated more than 7,000 community groups, nearly 4,500 applied and were then shortlisted to the final 1,400 local good causes.

Graham Lindsay, Group Director, Responsible Business & Community Affairs at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Through our Helping Britain Prosper Plan we have committed to being the banking group that brings communities together to help them thrive. We are incredibly proud to be able to support more community groups than ever before to continue their vital work through our Community Fund 2014.

"This year your vote can make a significant difference to the amount awarded to each community group so I encourage everyone to take a moment to champion a good cause locally and cast a vote.”

Public voting for the Community Fund 2014 is open until October 10, 2014. Votes can be cast in Lloyds Bank branches, online, by SMS text message and, for the first time, via Twitter. To find out more and vote visit www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund