STAFF from a Bradford printing company are forgoing their usual Christmas do to spend a night on the streets in support of a homelessness charity.

A group of five hardy employees from ABS UK Ltd, based on the Euroway Trading Estate, just off the M606 motorway, will brave wintry temperatures to bed down in the city centre's Centenary Square on Monday night to raise money for Bradford Nightstop.

David Lees, who is coordinating the team, said the experience would certainly prove a different festive 'night out'.

"This year, we decided that instead of a few Christmas beers, we would donate the cost of a night out to Bradford Nightstop.

"We then decided we would try and raise more money for this fantastic charity by sleeping out ourselves."

After finishing work on Monday, the five staff - Mr Lees, James Graley, Stacey Langley, Ben Tighe, and Brett Abson - will walk the three and a half mile journey from their office to the centre of Bradford, where they will sleep out before walking back to work the next morning.

"This will be nothing compared to what many people face every single day, but we hope to raise some awareness for those who are really struggling this time of year," said Mr Lees.

"We have already smashed our £1.000 fundraising target, and we hope to raise more for the charity, as well as raising awareness in the process.

"We appreciate this is an expensive time of year, but the cost of a beer or a random stocking filler will make a big difference, so we'd be grateful if people could give what they can."

The company, which provides printing services to clients including local businesses, charities, and schools, has a charitable foundation which supports good causes across the world, recently donating more than £3,000 to the Eliya Children's Home in Sri Lanka.

Bradford Nightstop is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year, during which time it has offered 9,300 beds to homeless young people across the district via its volunteer hosts.

Joy Rainbow, team leader at the charity, said: "We are astounded that ABS UK Ltd want to give in this way by supporting the work of our volunteers, who care 365 nights of the year about youngsters with nowhere to go.

"It is so easy to get wrapped up in the tinsel and partying and forget about the young people on our doorstep who face homelessness at Christmas and throughout the year.

"Events like this are vital to raise awareness of that."

To make a donation in support of the sleep out, visit the firm's Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/ABSUKGoHomeless.