A CAFE in Carlisle is offering its customers the chance to buy an extra coffee or meal for someone in need.

Gone to the Dogs - a dog friendly cafe - on Corporation Road has started a Pay It Forward Scheme after owner Paul Higgins came across someone sleeping rough in the city.

He said: "I found him and the whole thing made me really sad. My wife Julie told me to give him some chips and tea so I did but when I got home I couldn't stop thinking about it and I cried. No one should be sleeping out in this, the least we can do is give them something hot."

Mr Higgins and his wife decided to do something to help.

"I told the man to come to the cafe for a free breakfast and he did and so the scheme was born. We haven't seen him since."

The idea is that customers can buy an extra drink, hot meal, soup or breakfast which can be given to someone in need.

Within the first few days of launching the scheme customers had donated £46.

Julie said: "I contacted the Carlisle Foodbank to tell them and ask for guidance.

"We open at 8am most days so it's perfect.

"We didn't just want to do this at Christmas. We want to do it all year round."

When a customer comes in to the cafe and donates, Paul and Julie write the donation on sticky note and post it on a cupboard door.

"That way we can see what donations we have and then use them accordingly," said Julie.

And news of the scheme has gone down well with Gone to the Dogs customers.

Gillian Holmes said: "What a lovely idea. Next time I'm in I will do this."

Sarah Douglas said: "At last someone thinking of others well done. Carlisle needs this."

And Tara Mckinnel said: "Cornerstone Carlisle do something similar, you buy a "suspended coffee" they pop a paper cut out coffee on a board and someone in need just comes in and requests a suspended coffee. Great idea to be doing it with food too. Well done."