A newspaper boss is giving up his Christmas afternoon to help the homeless.

Paul Harrison, acting editor of Rochdale Observer, will be lending a hand at the town’s Petrus homeless shelter.

For the bargain price of £1, Rochdale’s homeless community can visit the centre and enjoy a hot meal and even a Christmas gift.

Paul, (39), said: “I wanted to do something at Christmas.

“We’re trying to promote Christmas spirit through the paper so I wanted to do something along those lines.

“We did a general story on this place, saying they’re doing it.

“But it was more of my own volition, I’ve wanted to do it for many years.

“I’m working Christmas Eve and Boxing Day so I’ll be around all over Christmas.

“I couldn’t really promote the spirit of Christmas without doing something myself.

“When I heard about Petrus and the service they provide on Christmas Day, it seemed like the ideal place to go.”

The centre is expecting up to 40 people to pass through its doors on Christmas Day.

The Observer is also appealing to its readers to donate any small items such as toiletries and footwear to help care for the homeless over Christmas.