A SELFLESS cafe owner dished up plates of Christmas cheer – and inspiration – after inviting the town’s homeless for a free festive meal.

Rachel Jubb offered the complimentary lunches on Friday at The Coffee Shop in Bolton Market after being inspired by a rough-sleeping customer.

Her generosity prompted two University of Bolton students to use the opportunity to provide customers with much-needed packs of essential clothing, food and personal products.

Mrs Jubb said: “The homeless guests are really overwhelmed at what I’m doing for them.

“They said they didn’t have anything to smile about normally and it was a really nice gesture.

“They could have whatever they wanted.”

Working with colleague Ann Esmark and her grandmother Gloria Shepherd, she was able to offer more than 20 visitors a hearty meal thanks to produce donated by the Bates Veg and Fruit stall and cash from other donors.

Mrs Jubb said: “We have had such a nice reaction and I’m going to do it again at Easter in a few months.”

When news of the free meals offer became popular online weeks ago online it provided the impetus for Christina Ray, studying for a Masters in game design at the University of Bolton, and Jessica Richardson, a business management student.

Ms Ray said: “The post went viral on Facebook and not long after I went to see the movie A Street Cat Named Bob and, having done a little bit to help the homeless in the past, I felt I needed to do something.”

Together the pair used £350 raised through crowdfunding to compile packs containing thermal clothing, hand warmers, a poncho and a blanket, a medical pack, food, a flannel, a sanitary pack and an individual Christmas card.

The duo – alongside Corban Bewley, the 12-year-old son of a family friend – distributed them to The Coffee Shop’s homeless diners as well as rough sleepers the trio came across in the town centre. Clothing donated by staff the Royal Bolton Hospital was also handed out.

Ms Ray said: “We have walked around for 10 minutes and saw three people. It’s a huge problem.”

Corban said: “They’re stereotyped. You can’t judge somebody just by looking at them: not every homeless person is addicted to drink or drugs.”