Three community groups are set to benefit every three months after John Lewis Norwich launched a new charitable scheme, Community Matters.

A donation of �3,000 will be split, as either John Lewis products, volunteering time from staff or financial support.

Customers at the department store's catering outlets will get one token per transaction to vote for the organisation they would like to support and each charity will receive a share of the �3,000 proportional to the vote they receive from customers.

Isabel Macdonald, managing director of John Lewis Norwich, said: 'We receive a lot of requests for help, but not every organisation needs financial support. By offering community organisations the option to receive our support as either volunteering time or as products, we can be more flexible in the help we offer.

'If a charity wants volunteers to redecorate a community centre, or if they need furniture and sports equipment, we can offer that help.'

The first organisations to receive support will be; The Norfolk School's Sailing Association, The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind and The North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association.

Ms Macdonald added: 'Our employees will look at the requests that come in and decide which three organisations to support for the following three months.

'We've already selected the first three charities we'll support, but we'd love to hear from other worthy organisations which John Lewis could help.'

Organisations wanting to take part in Community Matters should visit the All Saints Green store to pick up a nomination form.