A kind-hearted laundrette owner who has helped more than 400 rough sleepers by washing their clothes for free has gone one step further in his quest to help High Wycombe’s homeless population – by handing out free blankets and duvets.

Qumar Aziz, who owns The Laundry Room in Desborough Road, was inspired to offer his services for free after he saw a man asking for money outside the laundrette so he could wash his clothes in February last year.

Since then, he has helped more than 400 rough sleepers keep their clothes clean.

As the temperatures start to drop below freezing and winter gets underway, Qumar is still offering his free laundry service for those in need – but he has also decided to help the town’s rough sleepers in another way.

On Saturday night, Qumar and his team headed out into the town centre to give out blankets and duvets to those sleeping there in a bid to keep them warm.

Qumar said it was “great” to see the rough sleepers “wrapped up and smiling” and said he would continue to help those in need throughout the year.

The laundrette owner first told the community about his free washing initiative in the pages of the Bucks Free Press in February 2017.

He had “no idea” it would be as successful as it is.

He said: “Since we launched, we have had 400 people using the service. It has really taken off and is going well.”