A "Wall of Kindness" has been established at a Darlington community centre to provide a warm welcome to those who may need a helping hand.

The facility at Firthmoor Community Centre enables people to donate a spare winter coat or jacket and for those who might need one to pick one up.

The Wall of Kindness is an international charity initiative where people can donate and take items.

The idea originated in Iran in 2015 when someone anonymously installed hangers on a wall and posted the message "If you don't need it, leave it. If you need it, take it". The practice has since spread around the world.

(Image: Contributor)

The initiative at Firthmoor is sponsored by Darlington Rotary, which has paid for the installation, through its community service programme.

Rotary president Jeff Mann said: "Many people have coats and jackets in their wardrobes that they don’t wear anymore, and there are those out there for whom a warm coat would be really useful.

"We have established our wall of kindness at Firthmoor, but the facility is open to anyone who wishes to donate or pick up an item."

Jonathan Dulston, Rotarian and head of charity operations at the community centre, added: "This is a great Rotary initiative and has already attracted a lot of attention and use as that weather gets colder. We have already got a range of garments, from children’s jackets to adult coats."

Anyone who has a garment they can spare can drop them off at reception at the centre at Burnside Road, Darlington, DL1 4SU.