AN “invaluable” service which supports homeless and disadvantaged people in Bury has been re-launched.

The Red Door Drop In, based at the Presbytery of St Joseph’s Catholic Church, off Walmersley Road, offers a lifeline to those in need.

It was previously paid for by Bury Council but the funding was cut last year.

With the support of Caritas - the charity of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford - and two financial benefactors, the service re-opened in September and an open evening was held to publicise their work last week.

The service is run by volunteers led by Linda O’Sullivan with the help of the church, and since they re-opened, more than 500 people with issues such as substance abuse or mental health problems have used the service.

Currently the drop-in service is open on Tuesdays between 10am-4pm and Thursdays between 1pm-4pm.

Cllr James Daly said: “I believe the service provided by Linda and the team at the Red Door is not only invaluable but a necessity.

“Linda O’Sullivan is selfless in her desire to help those most disadvantaged. She and the team help service users with their most basic needs and deals with those who can’t conform to a target or a tick box.

“I would urge all those in need to go to the Red Door and would hope all other agencies in Bury can work with this brilliant service provider to improve the lives of those most in need.”