Volunteers are needed to help provide a warm and welcoming place for homeless people over Christmas.

For the last 11 years Christmas Care has provided a temporary shelter for people in Swindon who are homeless, hungry and lonely.

This year the project, organised by Thames-down Christians Against Homelessness, will be at Ferndale Youth Centre, Southbrook Street.

Volunteers are needed to prepare and run the event and clean up afterwards.

Organisers would like to hear from people who are willing to cook, drive, wash up, clean, make tea, talk and listen.

This year's project, Christmas Care 2000, also needs donations of food, clothing, shoes, blankets, sleeping bags, towels, toiletries and money.

A meeting is being held on Sunday, November 26, for volunteers at the Ferndale Youth Centre, Southbrook Street.

There are also a number of collections being held for people to donate items to the project at the youth centre.

These will be on Wednesday, December 20, Friday, December 22 and Saturday, December 23. All the collection points are open from 7pm to 9pm.

The youth centre will be open to people from 4pm on Sunday, December 24, until the morning of Thursday, December 28.

For more information ring Tony Gasson on Swindon 525454.