HELP is on the way for people sleeping rough on Teesside this Christmas.

People sleeping out in the open in Middlesbrough, those sleeping in hostels and Big Issue sellers will be targeted by health visitors and encouraged to attend sessions at the John Paul Centre, Grange Road, Middlesbrough, over the winter.

They will be given general health checks and treated for minor ailments. Hot food and drinks will also be available.

Health visitor Nigel Clerk, who developed the idea, which is being run by the Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust, said: "The homeless are obviously very vulnerable in terms of their health.

"Their lifestyle often means that they are susceptible to a wide range of debilitating illnesses and conditions.

"Looking after their health is not a priority and it is very often very difficult for those with no fixed abode or those in temporary accommodation to access information or health services.''

Trevor Morris, project manager at the 20-bed Letitia House hostel for the single homeless, in Middlesbrough, said: "This drop-in scheme is a step forward to dealing with the health needs of the homeless.

"I would ideally like to see schemes like this extended."