A trade union is funding a campaign to improve wages.

The living wage campaign in Brighton and Hove was launched in April 2012 and was scheduled to finish next month.

But now the city branch of Unison has contributed £10,000 toward the campaign which will keep it going until the autumn.

The campaign is organised on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council by the city’s chamber of commerce.

The UK Living Wage is set at £7.65p per hour. The rate is higher than the legal minimum wage, which stands at £6.31 an hour for over-21s.

Tracey Allen runs the Living Wage campaign at the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce. She said when more funding is secured, a longer term plan will be put in place to keep the campaign going the general election in 2015.

Ms Allen said that 120 businesses across the city have signed up to the campaign and it has improved more than 800 salaries and created debate and information about living wage, minimum wage and zero hours.

She said: “I am talking to businesses, church groups and other organisations to seek funding to extend the campaign. So far Unison is the only organisation that has come forward.”

Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion based in Isetta Square, Brighton was one of the first companies to support the campaign Dr. Tom Smith said "Supporting the living wage was a no-brainer for our intern programme. It shows that we value and respect the whole team, and has definitely helped us bring in skilled and enthusiastic people to the organisation. As we've doubled in size since starting the living wage programme, it's clearly helping us deliver great work for our clients. And it is great to be able to help people gain the experience they need - all of our interns have gone straight on to permanent posts with us or other groups."

Alex Knutsen from UNISON said " Addressing low pay is key to what UNISON do and this is a good opportunity for us to partner with other organisations and be an ambassador for growth in the local economy. As the largest Trade Union in the city collaboration is very important and we look forward to supporting more colleagues across all sectors including the private and third sectors. The Living Wage is an excellent campaign and we are delighted to be so involved."