A HAMPSHIRE firm of funeral directors is seeking nominations so that it can make a number of donations to local charities.

Together Derek Kinchenton and Tim Matthews have decided to run a monthly charity and good causes award every month in each of their areas during the next three months.

Derek, a manager with R C Payne in Bitterne, Southamp-ton, said: "The awards will be made to charities and good causes local to our funeral homes and in my case that will be R C Payne's in Bitterne, Bitterne Park and Shirley and Beeston's in Woolston.

"We hope to enlist the help of local clergy to assist us in the judging."

Tim Matthews' awards will be made to charities applying to his funeral homes of Ramalley House in Chand-ler's Ford, F C Hughes in Hedge End, A H Rogers and W Bush in Eastleigh.

Tim said: "We often work closely with larger charities on behalf of bereaved families but there are many local smaller charities and good causes which don't have the publicity and profile to attract the funding they need to support them.

"This will be our own way of helping those local people working quietly and unseen in our communities."

Applicants should write to R C Payne & Son, 485 Bitterne Road East, Southampton, or any of the other funeral directors mentioned in this story, marking the envelope "Charity and good causes award."

Funeral Directors Derek Kinchenton, left, and Tim Matthews.