A CHARITY for the homeless in Darlington was joined by the town's mayor to help to celebrate its fifth anniversary last night.

First Stop, in Tubwell Row, offers advice and guidance to the homeless but helps them with far more than just housing.

Ten staff and 16 volunteers help people with mental health issues, benefits advice, finding a job and helping them to sustain accommodation.

They see up to 70 people a day and have helped 4,000 people over the last five years.

Mayor Councillor Roderick Francis said: "I must congratulate First Stop on its birthday and praise it for its work.