VOLUNTEERS at a homeless charity in Accrington which provides "emotional first aid" to those in need helped over 35,000 people last year.

Visitors to Maundy Relief, Abbey Street, have tripled over the last year as volunteers help not only with finding shelter but also counselling for those suffering from stress and emotional difficulties.

And despite the large numbers of visitors to the centre staff say they are only "scratching the surface" of the "dire situation" in Hyndburn.

The charity, whose patron is Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, aims to provide an "immediate response to poverty and need".

It operates a drop in centre called Maundy Grange where people can recieve help and advice for their problems.

Manager Dorothy McGregor has overseen dramatic expansion at the home over the last 12 months, with a new chapel and new counselling rooms being built.

Figures released this week show that the charity helped more than 1,000 homeless people last year, 300 of whom were under 20.

In total they helped 35,115 people, only five per cent of which were repeat visitors.

She said that many of the people that the charity helps are professionals who need help to deal with work-related stress.

The charity has received some criticism from some Accrington residents and councillors in the past for encouraging homeless people into the town centre.

Mrs McGregor said she was just helping people in Hyndburn.