BANK staff have been "investing" their time and painting their way to help the community.

Residents at the English Churches Housing project in High Wycombe benefited from a painting blitz carried out by volunteers from Barclays Bank.

The blitz took place at one of three homes owned by ECHGroup, which is part of a development to ensure that residents at its local Tea Warehouse project, many of who had been homeless, have somewhere to go when they are ready to move out.

Debbie Philips, community manager at Barclays, said: "This all forms part of Barclays' community programme, which contributed over £26 million to various organisations in 2000.

"In addition to funding a wide range of community projects, Barclays actively encourages staff to give up their time and skills. Giving something back makes good business sense."

Barclays PLC has supported ECHG with a donation of £15,000 towards the Tea Warehouse Project, as well as with £500 to provide paint and brushes for the redecoration.

Michael Blowers, manager at the Tea Warehouse, said: "The aim of the project is to support residents to reach a point where they are enabled to live an independent life."