A KEIGHLEY building society has launched a Christmas appeal to help homeless young people.

Festive decorations are being sold and a hamper raffled at the Low Street branch of the Yorkshire Building Society.

And the public is being urged to donate to a special account, in aid of End Youth Homelessness.

People can call at the branch or text NEED18 £5 to 70070.

The move is part of an ongoing partnership with the charity.

According to latest figures, 1,396 young people across Bradford district received some homelessness support from the local authority in 2016-17.

And many face being on the streets this Christmas.

Sasha Pauley, for the Yorkshire Building Society, said: "Homelessness doesn’t discriminate and Christmas is the cruellest time to be shut out.

"With just a £5 donation, people can make a difference and help a young person find a safe place to stay.

"We’re proud of our partnership with End Youth Homelessness and thanks to donations we have already received from people in Keighley and all over the UK, we have been able to help 167 young people into their own rented homes."

Through the course of its partnership, the society aims to raise £750,000.

For more details about the campaign, visit ybs.co.uk/help-us-end-youth-homelessness.