Most of us will take the warmth and comfort we enjoy at Christmas for granted along with the good food and drink.

But some people in Sussex, especially in Brighton and Hove, do not have any home of their own.

Even on these cold, wet nights they are sleeping in seafront shelters, in parks, or behind boats on the beach.

Fortunately help is at hand for those who want it at places such as St Patrick's Church in Cambridge Road, Hove.

The homeless are offered shelter and food in the first place. Later, they are helped to get permanent housing and jobs where possible.

Some of the stories they tell about why they are on the street are heartbreaking, such as the tale of Tony Welch, abandoned for no reason by his family when he was 15.

The selfless work of Father Alan Sharpe and his band of helpers is in the true Christian and Christmas spirit.