A thriving Huddersfield charity has come up with a really smart idea to expand its services.

One Good Turn has launched the Bee Smart scheme to provide free suits for people going for interviews.

And workers at the Lockwood-based charity say the project is off to a flying start.

“Monday’s launch went really well,” said One Good Turn chairman Tony Crawshaw. “We expect the service to be very well used.”

To get the scheme up and running, Johnathan Wales from the Halifax banking group organised a donation of £25,000 worth of ex-corporate wear - a range of ladies and gents clothes suitable for interviews.

Bee Smart is another string to the ever-growing bow of One Good Turn, which aims to tackle poverty and isolation by providing goods and services people could otherwise not afford.

Project manager and founder Sophia Crawshaw said:”This service is an amalgamation of ideas from Kirklees Council employee Cheryl Smith, Johnathan Wales and myself.

“We saw a gap in the community for providing free interview clothing. Making a first impression is vital for anyone attending an interview and the expense of buying a new suit is unattainable for some families. This service could help people get jobs.”

Tony Crawshaw said a large number of people had tunred up for the launch - including Kirklees Lord Mayor and Mayoress, Clr Paul Kane and Susan Bedford.

“A service such as this was about the only aspect that was missing from the ranges we provide,” he said. “We knew there were people who managed to get interviews but then had no suitable clothes to go in.

“We have already quite a lot of enquiries.”

A referral for a suit can be made through the local welfare provision team, Job Centre, employment agencies and other community organisations. There will also be a referral form available on the website www.onegoodturncharity.org.uk

One Good Turn are still appealing for suits from businesses and individuals and if anyone would like to stage a ‘suit drive’ at their place of work, One Good Turn will provide details.

For larger donations fill in the donation form on the website or ring 01484 538700 to arrange a collection.