A BURY building society is hoping to turn October into Socktober with people donating new pairs of socks and other items to keep the homeless community warm this winter.

Throughout the month donations of new pairs of socks, toiletries and clothing such as hats, gloves and scarves can be made at the Yorkshire Building Society branch, in The Rock.

You can further support the cause by donating to the campaign and posting a picture of you in your favourite socks online with the hashtag #socktober.

The building society has partnered with End Youth Homelessness (EYH) charity and hopes to raise awareness of World Homeless Day on October 10.

An estimated 86,000 young people in the UK are homeless and, according to latest figures, 52 young people in Bury received some homelessness support from their local authority last year.

James Phillips, manager of the Bury branch of Yorkshire Building Society, said: "Thanks to donations from people in Bury and all over the UK we have been able to help 125 young people into their own rented homes. We’re really proud of our partnership with End Youth Homelessness and providing help for young people in need.

"This is our second Socktober campaign and we are hoping to make it as sock-cessful as last year."

The money that is raised funds a rent deposit scheme helping young people with deposits and living essentials.

Through the course of the society’s three-year partnership with EYH it aims to raise £750,000.

EYH is a UK wide movement, bringing together local charities to tackle youth homelessness on a national scale.

Charlotte Milner, Senior Corporate Partnerships Officer for End Youth Homelessness, said: “Through our partnership with Yorkshire Building Society we are not only supporting homeless young people into their own rented homes, we are also aiming to break down the barriers that homeless young people face.”

Monetary donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/socktober18 or by texting SOCT70 followed by the amount you would like to donate, £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10, to 70070.