A Cradley Heath charity which acts as a lifeline providing furniture to people who have next to nothing is expanding to also give away clothes to people in need.

Loaves 'n' Fishes collects unwanted items such as beds, sofas, tables and kitchenware and distributes them to those who need them - sometimes people who have as little as just a sleeping bag - for free.

Now to start 2010 the Christian project, run entirely by volunteers, is opening a clothing ministry and is appealing for people to donate items.

Project founder Anna Hartland said: "We will be giving away clothes to those that need them most, again for free.

"Imagine a woman fleeing domestic violence who doesn't have the time to pack for herself or her children - we want to help."

The project, based in Waterfall Lane, made more than 500 collections of furniture and other household goods in 2009.

Anna said: "A massive thank you to all who gave.

"That meant we were able to help 301 people with items to help them set up home."

The sort of people helped included 12 pensioners - some who had to be taken into sheltered accommodation and their household belongings were in no fit state to be taken with them - 56 families who had moved from refuges or hostels - ten people who due to debt or other circumstances were unable to buy what they needed and five people who had to start again from scratch due to relationship breakdowns. The project also helped three soldiers who had returned from Afghanistan who were made homelesss due to different circumstances.

Anyone with clothes can drop them off to the charity at 26, Waterfall Lane, Cradley Heath between 10am and 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10am till 1pm on Wednesdays.

Furniture, pots and pans, fridge freezers, bedding, beds and other items would be welcomed and can be dropped off at the base or volunteers can collect items for free. Call Anna on 07881 421739.