AS Christmas draws near, a Redditch charity is asking people to consider youngsters who find themselves living alone on the streets.

Nightstop, which is based in the Ecumenical Centre, takes referrals from organisations such as the Salvation Army and police and provides emergency accommodation for homeless 16 to 25 year olds with volunteer hosts.

It also develops services to try to help prevent young people becoming homeless.

Co-ordinator Gill Groom said: "With all the excitement and exhaustion, feasting and fattening up and the 'spend, spend, spend' mentality of Christmas, we all need to stop and think about the homeless and what the festive time will mean to them.

"For most, all they will feel is isolation, loneliness and hunger. It will be such an empty time.

"At Nightstop we're so very grateful to all the people that have stopped to think about those people less fortunate than themselves this Christmas and donated items so we can make up food hampers to give to the homeless.

"This will bring a little cheer to them at this festive time but I am sure that to have family, friends and a place which they can call home will be their biggest desire this Christmas."

Mrs Groom added: "Once again, we'd like to say a big thank you to all the people who support Nightstop and all the other agencies that work with the homeless in our town."

Anyone who feels they can support Nightstop in any way can call Mrs Groom on 66036 or pop into the organisation's office in the Ecumenical Centre.