time in its history.

The Hands of Love Ministry, known for dishing out food to the vagrants on Court Street, has started a fundraising appeal as it prepares to move into its first headquarters.

Officials have already been given permission to use the old Southampton railway station on Camp Hill as their full-time base.

The Hands of Love HQ should be up and running by the end of the month.

But first, the charity needs to secure enough cash to pay for furniture, office equipment and the first three months' rent.

Co-ordinator Fern Wade said: "The charity has been going for 15 years and this is our first ever headquarters.

"The premises used to be the railway station, then most recently a bicycle shop. But it has been empty for several months now.

"We feel very fortunate and the Lord has certainly blessed us.'' Mrs. Wade said the charity would continue to feed the homeless on Court Street, as it had done for the past seven years.

"This building won't be used as a soup kitchen,'' she added. "It will be a place to store clothing and non-perishable food items.

"It will also be our office base and we will have rooms for counselling as well.

"This will basically help us become a mini-Salvation Army.'' Anyone able to help with the fundraising appeal is asked to call Mrs. Wade on 238 2059.