BIG-HEARTED businesses in Westbourne are keen to encourage a more caring community by launching a Random Acts of Kindness Month.

The Westbourne Traders’ Association, supported by the Bournemouth Coastal BID, is urging everyone to “do something nice for someone” during March.

People are then invited to upload their random good deed, or nominate someone who has carried out a compassionate act, to the Discover Westbourne Facebook page. At the end of the month there will be two prizes for the acts that have best captured the judges’ attention.

Steve Taylor, director of Fab Frocks of Westbourne and President of the Westbourne Traders’ Association said: “We are very keen to promote the positive, caring and thoughtful side of our community and get people thinking about what kindness is and what this can mean.

“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted and we look forward to hearing about all the positive gestures being made by everyone.”

Judges will award an iPad Mini 2 in an under-18 category and £250 of Westbourne Shopping vouchers in the over-18s category.

Claudine Harley, owner of vintage tea shop Dot Teas, said: “We have found that doing something nice for a complete stranger makes us feel good.

“This March campaign provides us with the ‘excuse’ to show some extra acts of kindness. We might brighten up someone’s day by giving them a free cup of tea and cake.”

Robert Watts, proprietor of Peter Treble butchers added: “We are always keen to help our customers out and often go the extra mile to give something unexpected to them and are looking forward to sharing our acts of kindness in the hope of encouraging others to join in.”

To share your Random Act of Kindness visit facebook.com/discoverwestbournebournemouth