A Christmas shelter for the homeless and lonely in Coventry could be forced to close because of a shortage of volunteers.

The night shelter has been based at the Salvation Army headquarters in the city centre's Upper Well Street for the past ten years.

But now organisers of the Coventry Open Christmas project say there is a chronic shortage of volunteers.

The project, organised by the Grub n Gab Club, offers homeless people a place to go and is open between Christmas Eve and 1 January.

We have had some great offers of support already this year but we really do need lots and lots more support Ally Doughty

Normally 130 people volunteer to help out each year but only 35 people have come forward so far.

Ally Doughty, joint manager of the shelter, said: "We have never known such a bad year for donations or volutneers.

"We have looked after the homeless or lonely for the past ten years with the fantastic support of the people and the businesses of Coventry and the wider area.

"But we are seriously thinking of cancelling this year's shelter."

She added: "We have had some great offers of support already this year but we really do need lots and lots more support."

As well as volunteers, the shelter also needs food, clothing and money.

A meeting to try and encourage more support for the shelter will be held on Saturday at the Salvation Army Citadel.