A blanket collection for homeless people is being held outside the Buttermarket shopping centre in Ipswich later this month.

The youngsters from Ipswich organising the event, who do not wish to be named, are holding the collection as part of their National Citizen Service.

Blankets and sofa throws are wanted.

The youngsters will give the donated items to the Ipswich Soup Kitchen, a nightly outreach programme supplying food, hot drinks and company to the homeless.

An event spokesman said: “We would like as many people as possible to kindly give up their old blankets to help the homeless.

“These donations will be really important to them, as it is sometimes better to provide something like blankets in person than cash.

“We are doing this as part of our National Citizen Service.”

The stall will be outside the shopping centre from noon to 2pm on Monday, August 28, the spokesman confirmed.