Bradford's Council for Mosques will be working around the clock to help those who are homeless and in need over this Christmas and New Year.

Board members have decided to provide food and shelter for the city's homeless over the festive period.

"We do not want to leave anyone homeless over the Christmas period. And so the Council for Mosques are taking a lead in this," said Javed Ashraf, a board member for the Council for Mosques.

"From our point of view no one should be expected to sleep rough over the festive period. And we will be doing all that we can to help people and make sure that they are looked after."

From 9am on Christmas

Eve to 8am on Wednesday, December 28 volunteers will be out on the streets actively seeking those who might ordinarily be sleeping rough. Instead they will be given food, somewhere to wash and a warm place to stay.

The project is a partnership between the Council for Mosques and the Bradford City Centre project.

Mr Ashraf said that previous schemes run over the festive period were taken up by around 14 people but he hoped that many more people would get in touch, as there are an estimated 63 people sleeping rough in Bradford.

"If you are homeless and if you are hungry then we are there for you," he said.

A team of seven volunteers as well as trained staff will

be working to ensure that

as many people as possible

are helped.

This is the first year that the Council for Mosques has been involved in the scheme but it is likely to become an annual event for the organisation.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, press officer for the Council for Mosques, said: "In the past we have said that if people wanted to use our building they could but this is the first time we have done this officially."

Mr Ahmed added: "Given the weather and given the Christ-mas festivities I think it is important that no one goes without food, shelter and support.

"And I think that this a positive way for the Muslim community to contribute and join in with the festivities."

Jed Din, director for Bradford City Centre Project, said: "We are very grateful that the Council for Mosques has helped us with this.

"It is a really great example of community cohesion and people from different faiths working together."

l Anyone who is homeless or knows of someone who is homeless and in need of help over the festive period should telephone (01274) 749009. The telephone line will be manned 24 hours a day.