VOLUNTEERS are to campaign for a permanent shelter for the homeless in Darlington, in memory of one of their colleagues.

The In From the Cold project, set up to give homeless people a bed for the night, was shutting its doors this morning. During the 90-day project, nearly 100 people have slept at its base at Grange Road Baptist Church.

Users of the service receive a bed, food, and a shower. Professionals were also on hand at the church twice a week to offer housing advice.

Numbers staying at the church regularly hit the maximum of 12 from its launch.

Churches in the town, the Salvation Army, Darlington Borough Council and other charities teamed up to offer the service during the winter months.

The Reverend John Elliston, minister of Grange Road Baptist Church, said: "Because of this project - and we have had some very cold weather in Darlington - nobody has died on the streets.

"That was the ultimate goal."

Because of the numbers coming through the doors and the apparent homelessness problem in Darlington, volunteers are keen to find a longer-term solution.

The team also wanted to continue the service in memory of 26-year-old co-ordinator Andrew Banks, who died suddenly in his home on February 17. It was his vision to find a purpose-driven project to replace In From the Cold.

Volunteers also set up a collection tin to ensure the work continued.

Dr Elliston said: "The need is recognised by those who use it and they are going to be bereft without it.

"There should be a permanent shelter, which is the view of many of us.

"All of these schemes tend to work on co-operation."

The main hurdle to overcome would be funding. But Dr Elliston said solutions to the causes of homelessness needed to be found.

One user, Matthew Bower, who has been at the church for two months, said: "There is still a need for this. After today, there are going to be 15 of us who are really stuck."

Lisa Godfrey, who has been homeless on and off for 13 years, said: "Andrew really wanted somewhere else when this finished."