A BRADFORD-BASED company is embarking on a bike tour with a difference as it invites charities to apply for a slice of £150,000 as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.

A bespoke penny farthing bicycle will be travelling to historic UK landmarks and destinations, from Edinburgh Castle to London’s Big Ben, to mark the Yorkshire Building Society's birthday.

The tour is a call to arms for charities to apply for a £10,000 donation from the fund.

The Society’s roots go back to 1864 when the Huddersfield Equitable Permanent Benefit Building Society was founded.

The Society has pledged £150,000 to leave a lasting impact in the communities it serves. Charities can apply online to The Lasting Legacy Fund with winning applicants receiving a donation of £10,000.

Yorkshire Building Society’s Chief Executive Chris Pilling said: "We are proud to commemorate our milestone anniversary by helping charities make a positive difference in their communities. With this tour we want to raise awareness of the Lasting Legacy Fund. The charming penny farthing bike pays homage to our past, whilst our charity fund will benefit future generations."

Initially 30 charities will be chosen from all the applications received by the Society’s dedicated Legacy Committee.

Customers and members of the public can then vote online to choose the winning 15 projects.

To apply charities should visit ybs.co.uk/legacy.