A DEAL between a charity and a building society 22 years ago has profited good causes and charities by a quarter of a million pounds.

The cash bonanza is thanks to Skipton Building Society throwing open it's staff car park on Saturdays and Bank Holidays in an arrangement with the charity Skipton Rotary.

The agreement was to help raise cash for worthy causes and to help put the brake on traffic choking Skipton town centre particularly on those designated days and on weekends when there were special events.

It was launched in June 1994, when the charity parking fee was just £1, and the money raised has since reached the £250,000 mark.

Last year some 10,000 cars used the car park in The Bailey and on the Skipton Christmas market Sundays in December 2016, over 1,200 cars were parked on the site.

"It is a great example of corporate generosity working with a local voluntary group and Skipton should be grateful to Skipton Building Society for this great contribution to the town," said Philip Chadwick, who chairs the Rotary Club’s car park team.

“Skipton gets great benefit from our car park both in the support for local charities but also in helping reduce parking problems. We are very grateful to Skipton Building Society for their continuing generosity.”

A vast number of local charities and good causes had benefitted and the Rotary Club always welcomed applications for funding to ensure the money raised was put to good use.

After a short winter break, the car park reopens on Saturday February 18 and it will be open on Saturdays and some other weekend days through the year.

The current charge is £2.50 all day. Full details can be found on the Skipton Rotary Club website.