With temperatures plummeting and the dark winter nights drawing closer, venturing out on the streets after a long day’s work would normally be the last thing on most people’s minds.

But for this week’s Local Hero winner, braving the cold to help the city’s homeless population is the least he can do.

Adam Brooks, 39, from Brighton, selflessly roams the streets of Brighton and Hove after work at his pub – the Bed- ford Tavern – to donate gloves, scarves and hats to rough sleepers.

Adam’s been embarking on his early morning escapades since a chance meeting with a rough sleeper in November 2012.

He said: “I generally finish at 12.30am to 1.30am, depending on the day. Last year while walking home I got chatting to a girl rough sleeping on Western Road.

“It was a freezing night and I noticed she was not wearing any gloves, so I offered her mine.

"Her extreme gratitude for my small gesture really touched me and as I continued to walk, I noticed many other rough sleepers without gloves, hats and scarves.

“I pondered what I could do. The following day I put up posters in our two pubs, the other being the Brighton Tav- ern, asking customers to donate clothing so I could take them out each evening.”

In addition to his scouring of the streets, Adam hosted a fundraising event so he could buy hand warmers and sleeping bags – items he says make a “huge difference” to people sleeping rough.

He continued: “Winter is here again and I have decided to do the same. The reaction has been overwhelming.

“The simple act of giving someone a pair of 49p hand warmers and stopping for a chat makes a huge difference.

“What amazes me is the people on the street will only take what they need.

“Last night I offered some thermal gloves to a man who only had fingerless gloves. He told me to keep the thermal gloves for someone who has no gloves at all.

“I come across this kind of selflessness all the time.”

Adam was nominated by an anonymous member of the public.

They told The Argus: “He does this with his own time, with no charity organisation sat behind him.

“He does this because he cares. It’s an epic effort from one man, showing that you can make a change.”

HUNDREDS of heroes go almost unnoticed in our local communities.

But The Argus is determined to give them the recognition they thoroughly deserve.

We have teamed up with housing repair and maintenance company Mears to launch our weekly Local Heroes Award.

We are inviting readers to nominate their candidates and tell us why they have put them forward for the award.

Contact Ben Leo on 01273 544682 or email ben.leo@theargus.co.uk.