HOMELESS people and those struggling to afford to keep warm this winter have been helped by the staff at a Flint café.

The Old Court House Café staff members have been collecting donated coats and offering them to those in need with a coat rack placed in the town’s high street inviting people to take and leave items.

Cerys Sullivan, who has managed the café for the past four years, explained how the project came to life and was inspired by the businesses suspended coffee scheme - which allows customers to buy an extra hot drink or meal alongside their own for those who cannot afford one.

She said that seeing some of the clothing that these people were wearing, and not wearing as temperatures plummet to freezing, the idea of the coat rail came about.

Cerys took to social media to appeal for donations and said that the response from the community has been ‘amazing’.

She said: “We started the scheme today [Wednesday] with nine coats and they all went within half an hour.

"One guy had walked from Connah's Quay and was really emotional after getting a warm coat, hot drink and a breakfast all paid for by our amazing community.

"We have another rail full going out tomorrow [Thursday]. People in Flint have been amazing with coat donations coming in all day.

“We are still very grateful for any good quality coats for men, women and children to be dropped off at the cafe.”

Donations can be dropped off at The Old Court House Café which is based in Church Street, Flint.