A Bradford firefighter who organised a weekend food appeal after being moved by the plight of the homeless has collected enough food to feed 150 families.

Fairweather Green Station Commander Mark Helliwell was at Morrisons at the Victoria Centre with his fellow firefighters appealing to shoppers to donate non-perishable food items for the needy this Christmas.

He was inundated with people wanting to help, with some shoppers handing him bags of food, which is now packing out the Fairweather Green Station storeroom.

All the food will be distributed to those in need, including some going to local soup kitchens.

Mr Helliwell said: “We were given literally thousands of pounds worth of food.

“It was unbelievable how people were bringing bags of shopping to us. I only expected to fill one box and we have managed to get enough for about 150 families.

“I had to make six journeys to the station with all the stock, with children handing us tins and the elderly also donating.”

The event was held in conjunction with Morrisons and the Samaritans.