A CHARITY which has set up a credit card food voucher scheme to help Blackburn's beggars has sent out an SOS to cafe owners to join the fight to help the homeless.

The scheme has proved so successful since being launched in June that Blackburn Churches Action has called a halt on more churches joining the scheme until other food outlets have been found.

So far only the Ribble Snack Bar next to Blackburn Railway Station accepts the vouchers which can be exchanged for a meal. With nine churches already involved distributing more than 80 vouchers each week, snack bar owners Sandra Hague and Adrian Eatough have their hands full.

The scheme is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Each church is issued with a number of cards which are purchased by parishioners who can then hand them out to homeless people.

Fred Milligan, general manager of Blackburn Churches Action is calling on other cafe owners to follow the excellent work that the Ribble Snack Bar has done.

He said: "I have another 14 churches interested in helping distribute the vouchers but I have had to turn them down at this stage because it would be unfair on Sandra and Adrian who have been excellent.

"The response to the scheme has been staggering but now we need more cafe owners to join us."

Any cafe owners who can help should contact Fred Milligan on 680317 or 678000.

Blackburn Churches Action which distribute household goods to needy people from its furniture store on Pearson Street is looking from more volunteer helpers and a van driver.

The charity has cancelled an open day at the furniture store on Saturday as a mark of respect for Diana, the Princess of Wales. Its annual AGM will be held at Wesley Hall, Fielding Street, Blackburn on Monday, October 6 at 7.30pm.

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