THE owners of a hotel have vowed to continue to help a homeless shelter in Barrow after they gave up their Christmas to cook for the centre.

Rachel and Michael Pound closed the Rusland Pool from December 23 until January 14 to give their staff a well-earned break over the Christmas period.

But instead of using their own free time to relax the couple generously donated it to Furness Homeless Support Group's shelter in Bath Street.

On Christmas Eve they took over the kitchen of the shelter in order to cook a meal, made using their own food and ingredients, for the staff and residents at the day centre.

The following day residents at the shelter enjoyed a traditional Christmas Dinner which featured sticky toffee puddings donated by the Rusland's owners.

The donation was made possible by Mr and Mrs Pound's pledge during the month of December that every time a customer bought a sticky toffee pudding they would give one to a local homeless person.

"When we first bought the hotel in 2009 it was our aim to create something different," the couple said.

"Nothing gives you that good feeling inside quite as much as helping others."

The couple revealed they "haven't finished yet" and would soon be launching their next 'buy one give one' (BOGO) campaign to continue to support the homeless shelter.

"BOGO is a very simple idea; every time someone buys a selected item we will give that item to the local homeless shelter to help others in need," the couple said.