Two charities have been nominated for prestigious awards.

The Melton and District Furniture Project and Voluntary Action Rutland have been put forward to receive one of the Centre for Social Justice Awards.

The two organisations have been nominated by Rutland and Melton MP Alan Duncan.

The centre aims to reward charities which fight poverty and help turn lives around and offers £10,000 for each winning organisation.

The furniture project is in its 23rd year of collecting donated furniture and household accessories from residents of Melton Borough Council and Rutland County Council areas and offering it to anyone on benefits in those areas. The project offers direct help to those who find themselves homeless or in need of rehousing.

Voluntary Action Rutland was formed in 1980 as a volunteer bureau operating from one small room but has gone on to help hundreds of people in the county.