Four community groups from Tunbridge Wells have been shortlisted for a bank fund which could provide them with thousands of pounds.

The Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 opens for voting today and helps local people have a positive impact at the heart of their community by giving grants to four good causes in each of the 350 communities across the UK.

Members of the public vote for the group they think deserves the grant the most and the number of votes cast in each community will determine how the funds are allocated.

In each community the group that receives the most votes will receive a £3,000 award, with the second placed group receiving an award of £2,000 and those in third and fourth place receiving £1,000 and £500 respectively.

The four community groups shortlisted from Tunbridge Wells are:

• Nourish Community Food Bank
• Baby Cafe
• West Kent YMCA
• Kent Friendz

Members of the public can now vote online, by SMS text message, by visiting a local Lloyds Bank branch and, for the first time, using Twitter.

“Through our Helping Britain Prosper Plan we have committed to being the banking group that brings communities together to help them thrive" - Graham Lindsay, group director

Earlier this year, members of the public, Lloyds Bank customers and colleagues, nominated over 7,000 community groups, nearly 4,500 applied and were then shortlisted to the final 1,400 local good causes.

Graham Lindsay, group director, responsible business & community affairs at Lloyds Banking Group said: “Through our Helping Britain Prosper Plan we have committed to being the banking group that brings communities together to help them thrive.

"We are incredibly proud to be able to support more community groups than ever before to continue their vital work through our Community Fund 2014.

"This year your vote can make a significant difference to the amount awarded to each community group so I encourage everyone to take a moment to champion a good cause locally and cast a vote.”

Public voting for the Community Fund 2014 is open until Friday, October 10.

To find out more and vote visitwww.lloydsbank.com/communityfund