DARLINGTON MP Alan Milburn spoke yesterday at the launch of a vital service to house homeless people before Christmas.

Mr Milburn was joined by more than 50 people at the Baptist Church in Grange Road, for the launch of Stop2Night which aims to find somewhere permanent for homeless people to live.

The organisation, previously known as Night Stop UK, finds short-stay homes for the homeless whilst working with them to find longer-term solutions.

Stop2Night is run almost entirely by volunteers and funded by sponsorship and donations.

Last year, while still Night Stop UK, it received 137 referrals from homeless people and was able to successfully house more than half of them.

Stop2Night coordinator Bridget Chapman said: "Our aim is to make people aware of homeless people and to encourage volunteers to come forward to help to give these people homes, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

"Last year, two people died because of the cold weather over the Christmas period and we want to make sure that doesn't happen again."

For more information about how to become a volunteer, telephone (01325) 382737.