AGE UK is encouraging people to donate winter clothes to help spread the warmth this winter.

The charity is calling on Dudley borough residents to support its Donate a Coat appeal by dropping off unwanted coats and jackets at their local Age UK shop.

All items will be sold on to raise money for the charity's Spread the Warmth campaign, which supports older people during the cold winter months.

Hugh Forde, the charity's managing director of retail, said: “We really need local support to help us Spread the Warmth this winter by not only donating coats but also any spare jumpers, hats and scarves.

"Please come by to your local Age UK shop and drop them in, and you can help raise funds to keep older people warm and well this winter.”

Celebrities, including Dame Helen Mirren and Carol Vorderman have also donated coats to the appeal, which are currently being auctioned on eBay.

Bids can be place at www.ebay.co.uk/ageuk until tomorrow (Sunday December 8) at 7.30pm For more information about the appeal, visit www.ageuk.org.uk/donateacoat