Six local charities in Breckland have benefitted from donations from Norwich & Peterborough Building Society.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich & Peterborough Building Society in Thetford has given donations to three charities - St Nicholas Hospice Care, The Benjamin Foundation and Thetford and District Citizens' Advice. Pictured: Eric Chung and Daniel Burden of N&P with Rachel Card of St Nicholas Hospice Care.Norwich & Peterborough Building Society in Thetford has given donations to three charities - St Nicholas Hospice Care, The Benjamin Foundation and Thetford and District Citizens' Advice. Pictured: Eric Chung and Daniel Burden of N&P with Rachel Card of St Nicholas Hospice Care. (Image: Archant)

The branches in Thetford and Watton gave a total of £2,000 to good causes nominated in the building society's Charity Choices campaign during a two-week public vote.

In Watton, the sports and recreation centre in Dereham Road won the £500 top prize. Watton Thursday Club came away with second place and a £300 donation, and Museum4Watton collected the third place prize of £200.

Deputy Mayor of Watton Stan Hebborn was invited to present the chosen charities with their cheques.

He said: 'On behalf of the residents of Watton, most, if not all of whom will benefit in one way or another from these donations, I would like to thank the N&P, as knowing the background of each recipient group I am well aware that the sums awarded are much needed and will be put to good use.

'Only last week Watton Town Council were acknowledging the branch manager Sharon Clark and her team who gave up some of their own time to help prepare the Jubilee Rose Garden for the use of the community of Watton.

'We are very lucky to have such a community focused team in our local branch and I look forward to working with them again in the future.'

In Thetford, the first prize of £500 went to St Nicholas Hospice Care. The Benjamin Foundation came in second to win £300, and Thetford and District Citizens Advice came third to collect £200.

Daniel Burden, assistant manager of the Thetford branch of N&P Building Society, said: 'We had a brilliant response to the campaign from our members, local shoppers and residents, but of course the real winners here are the charities – all of whom do a fantastic job of providing invaluable support in our local community.

'Because each and every vote helped secure pounds for the charities it felt right that the decision of splitting the money was put in the hands of our members and local people.'

A total of 157 branches and agencies of Yorkshire Building Society, of which N&P is part, took part in the 2016 Charity Choices campaign in May, donating £157,000 to charities which make a difference to their local communities.