A THREE-bedroom house is the prize in a charity competition being run by housebuilder Persimmon Homes to celebrate its 40th birthday.

The construction firm, which has developments in and around Salisbury, has launched a competition where one charity will win a detached house with a garage, worth £250,000.

The housebuilder will also give a further £138,000 in cash to charities with 23 runners-up prizes of £6,000.

Launching the competition, Steve Roche, managing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “This announcement is our way of giving back to these communities.

“In the first instance, we are asking charities with a turnover of no more than £10 million to tell us in 250 words or less why their charity deserves to win our brand new house. Supporters of charities can also nominate.”

To enter the competition, go to persimmonhomes.com/40