A GROUP of Christians want to run soup kitchens in every East Lancashire town to feed the homeless.

Members of the Christian Life Ministries International (CLMI) charity have just started their mission in Accrington town centre every Friday night.

They said the economic climate is putting more people out on to the street at night and their role is to show them ‘not to give up’.

Clive Atkinson, 57, of Bishop Street, Accrington, and Alexander Ross, 53, of Midland Street, Accrington, were helped on Friday night by other members of Oasis Church in Blackburn Road, Linda, 53, Charlotte, 14, and John Wilson, 22 and Kenneth Holiday, 23.

Mr Atkinson said: “There is a core of homeless in Accrington, but we are also helping other vulnerable people who live in bedsits and hostels.

“It is a difficult situation for them because they don’t see any hope.

"Society rejects them in a lot of ways.

“We’ve not heard of anybody running soup kitchens around here for a long time since the Salvation Army used to do it.

"There is more of a need now than ever. And at this time of year people are at their lowest.

“We will go anywhere where we can get volunteers to run a soup kitchen.

"We are starting in Blackburn on Saturdays in three weeks and would like to be out there seven days a week in every town in East Lancashire.”

Currently, the charity parks a caravan in front of the Market Hall in Accrington every Friday from 9.30pm until 1am, handing out soup.

Asda in Accrington has provided them with free fruit and veg.

As the soup kitchens spread they will be looking for help with funding. They are also working closely with Maundy Grange drop-in centre, Accrington.

Michael Bolton, 47, and Samantha Burrows, 37, are staying in a bedsit in Accrington. They stopped at the soup kitchen on Friday.

Mr Bolton said: “This is so important, especially in this town.

These are difficult times and you have to be grateful for the smallest things like hot water and heating.

"You wouldn’t think that was acceptable in this country, but it is.”

Volunteer Mr Ross added: “We need people to help out, even just towing the caravan. We had a meeting at the church and decided we wanted to go out and save some souls.

"It has been very well received at a time when people are really low. We are filling a gap.

"It is a pity we have to but there is an acute problem with homelessness and we’ll move from town to town to help wherever we can.”

To get involved contact 01254 388212.