A group set up by Sir Titus Salt to help needy people and organisations in the Bradford district is facing closure after nearly 140 years.

Crisis-hit Bradford City Mission has nowhere to store clothes and bedding, which it distributes around the district.

Its premises in St James' Wholesale Market, Wakefield Road, were being rented from Bradford Council. But they can no longer be used because the local authority needs the room to store polling booth equipment.

John Jessop, the mission's co-ordinator, said: "We are in desperate need of somewhere, but we don't have much money in the bank to allow for rent and rates.

"Bradford Council has kindly let us use the market for just £10 a week, and we are grateful.

"But it would be very sad if our team of volunteers, who have helped hundreds of people, had to disband because we didn't have anywhere to sort and store goods."

The mission collects clothing, bedding and toiletries which are then distributed to refuge hostels, churches and community centres, the homeless and underprivileged families.

It also collects spectacles which are shipped to Africa, eastern Europe, India and Pakistan.

The goods are currently having to be stored in a volunteers' cellar.

Mr Jessop said: "If anyone can offer us some low cost, dry and clean premises then we would appeal for them to get in touch."

Bradford City Mission was formed by Sir Titus Salt in 1850, under the title Bradford Town Mission. The present-day volunteers are drawn from a variety of churches from around the district.

They still aim to carry out the work of their forerunners, which was to offer practical, Christian assistance and spiritual advice to any citizen of Bradford, Shipley, Bingley and Keighley, irrespective of creed, colour or nationality.

Anyone who can help the mission can call at its charity shop at 143, John Street Market or contact Mr Jessop on Bradford 307022.

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