A CHARITY which works tirelessly to help needy children in Bradford could be set to expand.

After 125 years of providing treats and help for under-privileged youngsters, Bradford Cinderella Club is looking to the future.

Chairman Terry Pearson told the charity's annual meeting that plans were being put in place to roll out the Cinderella idea to other towns and cities.

He hopes that will mean transferring the ethos of Cinderella to other charities.

And the expansion bid is revealed just ahead of an invitation to those who work with children to meet Club members and see what is on offer.

Members want funding already in the kitty to be channelled in the right direction, so a meeting is being held at charity's base at Fagley Road to keep alive its aim to 'help put smiles on children's faces'.

Outlining the expansion ideas, Mr Pearson gave assurances about money raised in Bradford.

"Funds held by Bradford were raised by Bradford people, for Bradford children and will stay in Bradford," he said.

"Every pound is a prisoner.The only way of getting out is through funding an under-privileged child."

But he said the charity was keen to expand.

"The idea is in its very early stages. If it comes off, it will take the concept back to when Bradford was just one of a number of towns and cities offering this service.

"Over the years, the others closed down but we are looking at bringing all that back. There is a lot of work to do and it is just a germ of an idea now. But it would be fantastic to get it off the ground.

"We could be looking at similar clubs in places like Leeds, Huddersfield and Halifax. We are talking about franchising our ethos to other charities," he said.

The group was formed in 1895 by Bradford businessmen determined to help the city's poor.

Current members want to use the tell people what they can deliver in terms of funding, how to make an application and how to receive the funds.

Over the years, the way BCC helps children has changed. Simple teas and entertainment progressed to trips to the charity's holiday home in Morecambe. Busloads of children would spend two weeks at the seaside every summer - many of them going outside Bradford for the first time.

Then there were trips to the cinema, panto and meals out.

When the holiday home closed in the 1970s, proceeds from the sale were invested into a portfolio which now funds the charity.

These days, children are referred through official agencies which have regular contact with families.

At the annual meeting treasurer Susan Leeming said donations increased year on year - helped by text donations and the Just Giving website.

The event is on March 4 at 6pm. Tickets, limited to two per organisation, are available via email 125@cinderellaclub.org.