The boss of an award-winning charity which has helped thousands of homeless and vulnerable people has picked up the keys to his new HQ – an empty Argos store.

Gillingham Street Angels, which started in an office above a garage in 2018, will be opening up at the three-storey shop in Chatham town centre, selling furniture in about two weeks.

Its three other three shops, three cafes, food bank and warehouse remain open.

Chief executive Neil Charlick, who was once homeless himself and founded the charity, said: "We have gone from strength to strength and with the horrendous cost of living we are going to get busier and busier."

The new centre will employ three paid staff and three volunteers.

The move to the High Street premises, owned by the Richard Watts Charity, will mean it can expand and offer space for other groups to form a huge community hub.

Mr Charlick added: "It's very exciting. I have always believed we should be working together to support each other and not live in a bubble. And this gives us an amazing opportunity to do so.

"We will be providing much-needed space for people to train, work and get advice."

Among the groups he hopes to get on board are Nucleus Arts, Medway and Medway Pride Radio Pride and Luton-based Arches Local, as well as other organisations including a boxing club.

Mr Charlick, who runs the charity with wife Tracy, said: "I was approached by the Richard Watts Charity and I thought there was no way we would be able to afford the rent.

"But we have been offered it at a discount rate for a High Street premises. It's an offer we just couldn't turn down."

The campaigner, originally from Essex, started above a garage in Sturdee Avenue, Gillingham.

He then opened a charity shop in Skinner Street in 2019 which funded the soup kitchens and then the big storage warehouse in Jenkins Dale, Chatham, was launched.

There is also a charity shop in King Street, Gillingham, and in March, another shop was opened at the former Magees bed and breakfast at the Star Hill end of Rochester High Street.