A CHARITY group in York has collected hundreds of pairs of socks and money to cover transport for refugees and people in need.

St Clement's Women's Group launched their appeal to collect 800 pairs of socks from the public, local businesses, churches and community centres, which will be donated to Yorkshire Aid, and also raised £60 to cover transport costs.

Lis Barton, from St Clement's Women's Group, said the appeal was a variation on recent collections, and all for a good cause.

She said: "This is our third collection for Yorkshire Aid, the first two were for women's underwear - Please Purchase Pants - but this time we thought we would like to do something to help the men and boys too.

"In the end we got a mixture of men, women's and children's socks but I think there is an urgent need for all types. I understand that our socks will be going to Northern France where there are over 3,000 refugees who are sleeping rough, with temperatures dropping rapidly as winter sets in. We have heard that some are as young as 13 and have no access to clean clothes water or shelter."