THE Landmark Trust, which creates holiday homes from historic buildings, has launched a scheme, "50 for Free", which offers 50 free vacations, worth £30,000, to people recommended by social-help groups.

The Trust has asked charities and other educational and not-for-profit bodies to suggest groups or individuals, such as carers, volunteers, or struggling families, who, they think, would benefit from a break.

The Director of the Landmark Trust, Anna Keay, said: "We believe that staying in a beautiful and important historic building with friends and family can be an inspiring, uplifting, and transforming experience, and we want to make that available to as many people as possible."

The breaks are being funded with a personal donation by the chairman of Landmark's trustee board, the publisher and philanthropist Neil Mendoza, and his wife, Amelia. He said: "I was keen to support Landmark's '50 for Free' for two simple reasons: it's a brilliant and imaginative idea, and it's just what Landmark should be doing."

Their generosity means that those selected can enjoy a week next March in a holiday home ranging from the Pineapple, an ornamental folly near Stirling, to an 1820s lighthouse-keeper's cottage on the island of Lundy.

Organisations now have until 4 January to apply on behalf of deserving cases though the Trust's website (www.landmarktrust.orguk/ 50forfree).

The director of the Family Holiday Association, John McDonald, said: "It's a horrifying fact that, in a society as wealthy as ours, one in three families in the UK can't afford a simple break away from home. We're very pleased that the Landmark Trust is taking action to help address this need."