HARD-hitting images of distressed children are set to hit Worcester to promote a homeless advice service.

Worcester Welfare Rights (WWR) has chosen the striking designs to front its campaign to get youngsters off the streets and back into mainstream life.

Based in Angel Place, the centre's team of volunteers help the homeless with housing advice, budgeting skills and dealing with benefit claims.

Now, to increase awareness of its work, WWR is planning to target train stations, libraries, billboards and community centres with the powerful images created by students from Worcester College of Art and Design.

Negotiations are already taking place with city printing firms to produce more than 500 posters and 200 postcards.

Mary Connor, volunteer co-ordinator at WWR, said she hoped the images, featuring children out on the streets, down on their luck and in distress, would leave a lasting impression on the public.

"Originally we were going to have one image promoting our services, but after a meeting with colleagues, we couldn't choose and we went for two," she said.

The first, which contains the powerful message "not everyone has the luxury of a front door", will feature on a dramatic poster.

The other will be printed on a postcard for people to pick up from libraries, community and information centres.

"We thought using a stark black and white poster and a colourful postcard would both work well," said Mrs Connor.

"Not everyone has a pen to hand, so the postcards will bridge this gap and give people more detailed information to take away."

WWR are planning to hand over an award to the winning designers as a thank you for their contribution.

City firms who are able to help with printing should contact the centre on 01905 612774.