HUNDREDS of homeless people will receive a special Christmas gift this year — thanks to the generosity of Bolton residents.

More than 400 rucksacks packed with goodies and essential items such as a sleeping bag, hats, gloves, socks and other warm clothing have been collected as part of the Rucksack Project.

The rucksacks were dropped off at Emmaus in Fletcher Street, a charity which helps homeless people become financially self-sufficient, for them to be sorted and shipped out over the Christmas period.

Manager Nina Rudnick said: "It was a brilliant day and the response has been amazing. People just kept bringing bags and bags of warm jumpers, socks and hats. Our room was full of rucksacks from floor to ceiling.

"The atmosphere was fantastic. We saw so many new faces too, which was helped by the story that was in The Bolton News.

"Once the bags have been sorted to make sure they all have the same sorts of items in there we will be working with an agency again who works with homeless people so we know that they will be going to the right people.

"One thing we are still short of is rucksacks – we have the items to put in there but not the bag. So if anyone can donate any then we would be most grateful."

As well as the success of the project, Emmaus is celebrating the opening of its row of boutique shops at its Derby Barracks location.

After three years of hard work from the residents, the site now boasts a row of shops including clothes, collectables, music, books and a cafe.

Ms Rudnick said: "We are all really excited about the shops. It's been three years in the making so we're all really proud of what we've achieved.

"We have totally refurbished a row of buildings called The Cottages which the companions at Emmaus have done up from scratch.

"They are charity shop prices but in a really nice boutique setting. We have tonnes of LPs, CDs and clothes to suit all tastes, so there really is something for everyone."