STAFF and students at a university have remembered people who are homeless this Christmas.

For the first time, the number of homeless families in England has topped 100,000 mark. The University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough, this year launched a campaign to make Christmas for young homeless people a little more comfortable.

Staff and students were asked to donate gifts and toiletries to Nightstop, which supports homeless young people aged 16 to 25, on Teesside, for the Christmas period.

Jayne Villiers, volunteer co-ordinator at the university, said: "Nightstop recently gave a presentation about their work here at the university.

"It was heartbreaking to see the situations that some young people find themselves in and the difficulties they face when becoming homeless. The response by both staff and students in supporting this local organisation has been fantastic."

Ruth Manual, of Nightstop, said: "We are overwhelmed by the response from the university; it's amazing. I think people are more aware and concerned about the homeless, it's there every day, but they're more responsive at Christmas. A huge thank you to all.''