MORE than 40 coats have been left out in shopping centres as part of the launch of an initiative to help people keep warm.

The Keep Stockton Warm campaign is being run by shopping centres Castlegate and Wellington Square.

People are being asked to donate unwanted coats and winter accessories, which will then be left in the centres for anyone who needs them.

The shopping centres have partnered with charity A Way Out to run the initiative.

Anita Burke, general manager of A Way Out, said: "This campaign has come at exactly the right time to enable A Way Out and the local community to come together and continue to support those who are most in need with warm clothing during the winter months.

"We are so grateful to our volunteers who will be supporting this initiative and thankful for the Keeping Stockton Warm Initiative for co-ordinating this appeal.

Chantal Taylor, marketing coordinator, said “Everyday we continue to be proud of how our community has come together to support each other, and we are very confident that we will be inundated with donations for the Keep Stockton Warm campaign. We are very pleased to be able to partner with A Way Out and help them to look after those in need.”

Items can be donated at the donation station in Castlegate shopping centre, located outside B&M. Items should only be dropped off when visiting the centre for essential shopping and special visits to drop off items are not encouraged.

People can also support the initiative by making a donation to buy a hot drink.

Donations can be made by scanning the QR code on the donation station in Castlegate shopping centre or via the centre websites.

For more details about the Keep Stockton Warm campaign and to find out what items they can and cannot accept, visit the centres’ websites: www.castlegateshoppingcentre.com or www.wellingtonshops.co.uk