WARRINGTON'S homeless and vulnerable residents who 'have fallen on hard times' were treated to a taste of India.

More than £1,100 was raised for the mayor's selected charities at a fundraising meal at the Cinnamon Lounge, on Sankey Street, last Wednesday.

Ahead of the meal, Mayor Cllr Les Morgan, Cllr Tony Higgins, Warrington Ethnic Communities Association (WECA) general secretary Mo Hussain and restaurant owner Naz Miah took food from the site to Room at the Inn and the Y Project, on Winmarleigh Street.

The event was organised by the restaurant, in partnership with WECA.

Cllr Morgan called on the town to give generously to those in need over the Christmas period following the event.

He said: "It was a real pleasure to take food to the night shelter – these people are no different to any of us.

"They have fallen on hard times and they deserve their dignity.

"If we can help in any way, like we have done tonight, then I think we have achieved something.

"The people at the shelter really appreciated it.

"If anyone can donate in any way to the homeless – and places like Room at the Inn – then please come forward and do so.

"These people deserve and need the help.

"They don't deserve to be there.

"They are all Warringtonians, they are all human beings."

Mr Hussain is currently planning more events to support the town's homeless and vulnerable.

He said: "I wanted to do something together with the mayor as well as the restaurant, as it is local to the Town Hall.

"I am very passionate about helping the homeless – it is important to help as much as we can."

Room at the Inn and the Y Project centre manager Susan Blyth thanked all those involved.

She said: "I think it is important to highlight that just because you are homeless does not mean you should be ignored, quite the reverse really.

"It does make a huge difference when people feel included."

Donations, including a signed Warrington Wolves rugby ball and a House of Commons bottle of wine provided by Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid, were raffled off at the meal.