Five Wyre Forest good causes will be battling it out for votes and cash in the Kidderminster Shuttle's Community Chest initiative this month.

The newspaper has teamed up with house builder Taylor Wimpey to offer a £500 windfall to help groups continue their good work.

More than 33 nominations were made for groups who carry out important work in their local communities and a shortlist of five has been compiled.

Walshes Community Centre is one of the five causes up for the prize money.

The community-led group works to keep the hall open for community use. The facility is at the centre of the Walshes community in Stourport and it is home to several important groups/services, including over-60s' bingo and friendship clubs, youth club, ‘Your Place’ community health hub, Brownies and dance classes.

The hall is also used by local bands to practice, fund-raising events for local charities, community events and children’s parties. If the hall were to close there is no other community venue where all of this could take place.

The group works with Wyre Forest Community Housing (part of The Community Housing Group) who provides funding for the core running costs, and the Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group, who have also provided funding.

The group is trying to raise funds to improve the building, with members currently fund-raising to replace a damaged floor and fit new toilet facilities.

Kidderminster Shuttle Editor, Clive Joyce said: "All of the groups were worthy of nomination for the valuable work they do in our area and they are justifiably proud of their efforts. It was a tough job reducing the number to a shortlist of five and in the end we plumped for organisations for whom £500 will make a real difference."

He added: "We now want our thousands of print and online readers to vote for their favourite good cause in a special poll on the Shuttle website and the winner will receive the £500 to help them with their work."

Elaine Taylor, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, West Midlands said: "We have been delighted with the response to our initiative and it’s pleasing to see so many great causes nominated by readers.  The Community Chest is a great way to recognise the unsung heroes of your neighbourhood, and I’d urge readers to cast their vote to ensure their favourite organisation is in with a chance of scooping the £500 prize.”

The poll runs until February 28. Click here to vote now.