A new community café, involving a homelessness group, opens this weekend.

Dover mayor Gordon Cowan will formally cut the ribbon for the town's Sunrise Café at 11.30am on Saturday.

This will be followed by a blessing from Deacon Michelle Legumi.

The venue, in Snargate Street, is a social enterprise with charges for food on a pay what you can afford basis.

Meanwhile members of the public are invited to donate and gift meals

Café manager Vicky Nunn says: “We’re excited to be able to welcome everyone.

"As we’re not able to give anyone a hug at the moment, we’re hoping that our delicious homecooked food gives that much appreciated hug instead.”

The café will be open from Mondays to Saturdays and serve cooked breakfasts from 8 am, mid-morning coffee and cake, followed by a daily two course lunch served until 2pm.

The Sunrise is based in the former Seafarers Centre and part of the umbrella of the Dover Outreach Centre for the homeless.

The renovation of the café came from donations from companies and individuals.

Noel Beamish, acting chief executive and founder of Dover Outreach, said: “There are so many people to thank individually for their superb support both financially and for supplying goods and services to help us launch this unique local initiative.

"Without the dedicated commitment and hard work of everyone involved, it would just not have happened.”

The café will have displays of local artwork which will be renewed every few months.

Nienke Eernise will be the first local amateur artist to show her work there, with three wall hangings showing Dover scenes.

Volunteers are also wanted for the Sunrise, working in the kitchen or collecting surplus food from local supermarkets

Those wishing to volunteer or donate should email info@sunrisecafedover.com or call 01304 448070.

Full details on the Sunrise Café are available on its website sunrisecafedover.org

Read more: All the latest news from Dover