VOLUNTEERS from an Indian restaurant took their food onto the streets to feed the homeless in Winchester.

Staff at the Light of Bengal were joined by the mayor to hand out food in the High Street to the needy.

Cllr Jane Rutter was joined under the Christmas tree on Tuesday afternoon by staff and volunteers from Andover Road restaurant, who provided free hot food.  Those in need were given a choice of chicken korma or vegetable curry served with rice, as well as a drink.

They were also given presents donated by the people of Winchester thanks to an appeal on Facebook by the restaurant.

One of the Light of Bengal organisers, Billy Black, said the idea behind the event was to spread the message of peace to all men and women in the Christian and Islamic faiths.

"We did a similar event in the summer for Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of peace, and Christmas is a holiday of peace for Christians as well," he said.

"Helping the poor and hungry is one of our duties. We like to give to the homeless because they are the ones everyone turns there back on, especially this time of year.

"If you can give back to the community then you should - it's not all about the money."