BURNLEY folk opened their hearts to the refugees of Kosovo, with a staggering response to an appeal for help.

Hundreds flocked to the town centre with food, clothes and gifts, overwhelming Council for Voluntary Services workers with their determination to GIVE, GIVE, GIVE to those driven from their homes in the war-torn Serbian state.

CVS volunteers had to open more rooms at its new Yorkshire Street headquarters and draft in extra helpers to cope with demand.

Folk were even going to the nearby Sainsbury store to buy food to donate to the relief effort.

One man, said CVS chief officer Dorothy Lowe, took off his new leather jacket and handed it over for the worthy cause.

Said Dorothy: "Children were putting sweets and small toys in the pockets of kiddies' clothing as surprise gifts for the people in need."

After just a few short hours of collection, the CVS has 200 large boxes of clothing and 100 boxes of food to despatch to Kosovo.

"It was overwhelming and it made you feel humble," said Dorothy.

"I simply couldn't believe there would be such a response."

Mrs Lowe brought in a team of volunteers to work yesterday to sort and pack the piles of donations.

Later in the week she will accompany local Warburton's Bakery vans taking the aid to the International Aid Trust's centre at Leyland, from where it will be despatched to the Balkans.

"I want to see the Leyland centre so I can assure everyone that their gifts will reach their destination," she added.

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