An appeal has been launched for donations of tins of food.

Non-perishable goods such as tins, tea, coffee, sugar, rice, pasta and dried goods are needed for The Forum shopping centre’s harvest festival.

The campaign was launched by Mayor of Swale Cllr Sue Gent on Monday.

All goods will go to the Sittingbourne Nightstop, which provides emergency accommodation and food for young, single, homeless people aged 16-25.

Based at the United Reformed Church, the Nightstop relies on volunteer staff to keep its important work going.

It is the third year the centre has run the campaign in aid of the scheme.

Cllr Gent said: “The initiative is aimed at supporting a very local cause and all donations made will make a big difference to the lives of people in the community.

“The people of Sittingbourne are very generous and have supported many fundraising events in the past, and I am sure they will be as generous this year.”

Centre manager Francesca Donovan said: “We were overwhelmed with how much we raised last year.

“We had schools, local groups and organisations donating goods and this year we hope to collect even more donations than ever before.

“It’s great to see that residents are still willing to donate to such a worthy cause.

“Whether it’s a case of picking up a few extra cans or an extra bag of pasta, every donation will be greatly appreciated.”

Items can be left at The Purple Peach Cafe in the shopping centre until September 30.