Many people may be tempted in the next few days to give money to beggars who sit shivering on the cold streets of Brighton and Hove.

But they do not know whether the money will be going towards buying a cup of tea and a hot meal or towards fuelling a drug or alcohol habit.

That's why the Begging For Change campaign has been launched in Brighton and Hove with support from Cabinet Minister Mo Mowlam and Louise Casey, who heads the Rough Sleepers' Unit.

At a local level, it is backed by the borough council, the police and local housing charities who will receive the cash to distribute as they think fit.

This is not a campaign against beggars as critics imply and people are still free to give money if they wish.

It's simply that giving cash to professionals who deal with homeless people every day is much more effective that donating money straight to people whose lives are at rock bottom.

Listen to the histories of many people living rough and you will hear horrendous stories of drug addiction, alcoholism and mental illness in many cases.

These people need all the help they can get, which is why a package of assisting them directly is also accompanying the new scheme.

Christmas time is traditionally when people reach out and help those far less fortunate than themselves. Begging For Change is the best way to do it.