$(document).ready(function(){  
 /**  
  * Character Counter for inputs and text areas showing characters left.  
  */  
 $('.word_count').each(function(){  
     //maximum limit of characters allowed.  
     var maxlimit = 240;  
     // get current number of characters  
     var length = $(this).val().length;  
     if(length >= maxlimit) {  
   $(this).val($(this).val().substring(0, maxlimit));  
   length = maxlimit;  
  }  
     // update count on page load  
     $(this).parent().find('.counter').html( (maxlimit - length) + ' characters left');  
     // bind on key up event  
     $(this).keyup(function(){  
  // get new length of characters  
  var new_length = $(this).val().length;  
  if(new_length >= maxlimit) {  
    $(this).val($(this).val().substring(0, maxlimit));  
    //update the new length  
    new_length = maxlimit;  
   }  
  // update count  
  $(this).parent().find('.counter').html( (maxlimit - new_length) + ' characters left');  
     });  
 });  
  
});