AN innovative project that began in Detroit before spreading internationally is coming to York next month, to help good ideas get off the ground.

York Soup, a series of community dinners, will give charities, budding entrepreneurs, community activists and local groups or people the chance to land up to £1,000 to turn their vision for York into a reality.

The first event, at the Priory Street Centre in the city-centre, will allow four people to pitch their ideas to 100 diners, who will have each paid £10 for a dinner of soup, salad and bread - and a vote on who gets the funding.

York Press:

The event is inspired by Detroit Soup, where diners have raised and given more than $85,000 in small grants in five years.

York's first event will be at 6.30pm on June 25, and organisers want to hear from potential pitchers and diners.

York CVS, co-hosts for the first event, believe it will be popular.

Luke Barnett, the organisation's chief executive, said: “York Soup is a really interesting concept, I think it’s a great way to bring all the communities of York together to share food, ideas and to make a difference to our city by supporting a local project.

“We hope that York Soup will quickly become an exciting regular fixture in York’s calendar, where the community comes together to make York an even better place to live and work.”

After hearing the four pitches, the ticket-holders will vote for who should receive all the money from the ticket-sales. The people behind the idea will then be expected to come to one of the subsequent events, to tell people how the money has been used, how their project went, and what impact it had on the community.

The only criteria for pitches is that they must benefit York.

It is hoped that as well as being a source of funding for one project each time, the evenings will also benefit all projects in other ways, potentially by putting them in touch with people who can give time or expertise.

To request a pitching slot or to book tickets, visit yorksoup.eventbrite.co.uk