A BRADFORD charity that helps the homeless will now move to a new location after years of negotiations.

The Bradford Soup Run, which has fed the city's homeless for the last 34 years, is set to move to a new base at the junction of Nelson Street and Adelaide Street, opposite the Trafalgar House Police Station.

The charity's new plans were approved on Friday, putting to rest two and a half years of back and forth with the council about its old home.

Its current site, just 100 yards away in Portland Street, was originally earmarked for a multi-million pound sports complex, incorporating a swimming pool, meaning Bradford Soup Run was going to have to move.

The plans were shelved in November 2016, bringing about around 18 months of respite, until the charity was informed the site would now be used for a college.

Director of The Bradford Soup Run, John Tempest, said: "Naturally, we needed to ensure our work with Bradford's most vulnerable can continue and that we would have premises 'fit for purpose' which we are now confident they will be."

An artist impression sent out with last Christmas' Newsletter showed how the new base might look.

Three container units are set to be used to create a square building which will be strengthened.

There will also be a separate kitchen unit.

In the past, The Bradford Soup Run has held numerous initiatives to support the homeless including its Chox'n'Sox campaign, which now incorporates handing out gloves, hats and scarves, as well as the usual thick socks and chocolates.

Organisers will also hope the new base will be up and running in time for its annual Christmas meal.

Mr Tempest said: "Fortunately, our misgivings were unfounded and it will be 'full steam ahead' to complete our new building before the bad weather comes."

He added: "Thanks must go to the council officers concerned, who recognised the need for a speedy solution; and our architect, Jeff Redmile who has held our hands throughout this process and will be overseeing the work.

"There is much to do, but, in Soup Run tradition, we are confident we can get it done."

For more information about the charity and how you can help visit: thebradfordsouprun.org.uk/