A WORCESTER hostel for the homeless had a Christmas cracker of its own this year as it received more than £2,000.

St Paul's Hostel, Tallow Hill, was given £2,260 from staff at gas and electricity supplier npower to help provide essential services over Christmas.

Funds were raised by staff from a Christmas raffle, and the total was matched by the company's community relations team.

"We were keen to support St Paul's, which works so hard to help the homeless in Worcester, particularly at Christmas when they need the help the most," said Guy Lymer of npower.

The hostel is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and provides accommodation for 46 people, together with health support and substance misuse counselling, as well as social events and learning course.

Despite the facilities, the hostel has had to turn away more than 400 homeless people this year due to lack of accommodation space.

"We're very grateful to all at npower who took part in the raffle," said Chris Ashcroft, St Paul's Hostel manager.

"It was a fantastic effort. The money will provide an excellent start to out efforts to raise funds for a new minibus."