HOMELESS people in Newport will receive some much needed winter clothing thanks to the donation of 100 winter coats.

Ebbw Vale based Celtic Workwear & Design Ltd and Smart Solutions, which has an office in Newport, have teamed-up with The Wallich, a homeless charity with over 50 projects in 15 local authorities across Wales to provide the coats.

They hope to make life at least a little bit warmer and more comfortable for those sleeping rough this winter.

The donated coats will be handed out by Wallich's rough sleepers intervention teams who go out each morning to provide rough sleepers with warm clothing, food and advice about where they can receive additional support and accommodation.

Shane Heath, managing director of Celtic Workwear and Design, said: "With winter nights being so cold in South Wales, my business partner, Terry Daniels and I felt a responsibility to help those who have no other option than to sleep outside this winter.

"Providing someone with a coat is such a simple gesture but it can make a real difference during these harsh winter evenings."

Nathan Bowles, CEO of Smart Solutions, said: "The Wallich provides a vital service for the less fortunate in south Wales and we want to do everything we can to help them with the fantastic work they do. I hope that we will be able to continue providing support to the charity throughout 2013."

Antonia Watson, chief executive at The Wallich, said: "We supported more than 4,300 people this year, 800 of them rough sleepers, and the recent cold and wet weather means these coats could provide a lifeline for someone unlucky enough to have nowhere to go this winter."