DARWEN veterans suffering poverty and homelessness will have somewhere to go this Christmas, thanks to a generous cafe owner.

Cafe Lush, in Railway Road, will open its doors on Boxing Day and serve up a full Christmas dinner.

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Owner Mary Saward, who took over the business earlier this year, already offers discounts to servicemen and women as her husband Major Colin Saward spent 32 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Mrs Saward said she knew of too many ex-servicemen and women who had struggled to re-integrate into civilian life and would be alone at Christmas.

She said: “There are three who sleep in Bold Venture Park and I take food to them regularly and I know there are a lot of ex-soldiers who are struggling.

“My husband did three tours of Afghanistan and worked for the UN and NATO, but he is one of the lucky ones who came home and was able to live a good life.

“A lot of them do not. They come back and can find themselves in real trouble.

“On Boxing Day there will be a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and a present.

“And it isn’t just for ex-military people. Any old person who has not got anyone at home will be welcome as well.

“Everyone that comes will go away with a bit of something.

“Local businesses and people have donated things towards it as well.

“People have come together to help and it is amazing. I did not expect to be offered anything but there is a real community spirit here in Darwen.”

Mrs Saward said she had lost her brother recently and that had inspired her to help.

She said: “It is important for me to help because I lost my brother last year after he commited suicide and I just wish someone would have taken the time to help him like this.”

She hopes to turn the initiative into an annual event.

She said: “This is something I will be trying to do on a regular basis.

“I already do a military discount of 30 per cent.”