VOLUNTEERS are needed to spend a night sleeping rough in the name of charity - or to pay for the privilege of sleeping in their own bed.

Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH) is holding its 13th annual sleep-out next Friday, December 3, and hopes to match last year's total of £20,000.

And for anyone who can't face a night in the cold, the CATH sleep-in allows them to pay a donation of at least £5 to stay at home in the warm.

From 10pm next Friday volunteers armed with cardboard boxes, warm clothes, a torch and newspapers will spend the night in the Friary car park, Grosvenor Street.

The car park will be secure and patrolled by CATH workers, toilet facilities are available and hot food is donated by local businesses.

Reg Bolton, 60, from Boughton, has taken part in the sleep-out every year since it began.

He said: 'Just spending one night a year sleeping out in a car park makes me appreciate exactly how fortunate I am. After a cold wet night on the sleep-out I can go home to catch-up on my sleep in a warm comfortable bed.

'The homeless don't have that luxury - their next night is likely to be exactly the same - out on the street again. Personal hygiene, going to the loo, etc - all of which we take for granted - are an absolute nightmare for the homeless.'

Ashley Morgan, of CATH, said the money raised will go to the Harold Tomlins Day Centre, which helps up to 65 people a day.

'Ten pounds will provide 10 homeless people with a hot meal each, £5 gives a homeless person toiletries for two months and £1 will buy a hat or a pair of gloves to keep someone warm. Every penny will go toward helping someone.'

To find out more about the Sleep-out, or to donate money for the Sleep-in, contact CATH on 01244 314834.