THE centre management team at Churchill Square swapped the shopping centre for shovels, paintbrushes, plants and tools when they teamed up with Brighton Housing Trust for the day.

The charity, whose mission is to combat homelessness, create opportunities and promote change across Brighton, has a number of properties across the city.

The various flats and houses provide accommodation for those that have spent time in hostels and on the streets and are on the road to rehabilitation.

The team from Churchill Square spent the day working on a garden at one of the properties and undertook a number of jobs, including planting flowers, trimming trees, painting and more.

Churchill Square Centre director Mark Buchanan-Smith said: “We had a fantastic day helping a very worthwhile cause.

“BHT works tirelessly to help combat homelessness across Brighton & Hove and support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“As a centre, we believe in getting behind charities and organisations whenever possible and we wanted to donate a day of our time helping BHT.”

Two of the retailers at Churchill Square also contributed to the effort with Next and Debenhams donating a number of decorative items for the garden, including solar panels, candles and lanterns.

Homebase in Hove also joined in by providing all of the plants and compost.

Mr Buchanan-Smith said: “It was great to have Next and Debenhams getting behind us from the centre.

“I’d also like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Homebase in Hove for their generosity.

“All of the donations made a real difference.”

A spokesperson for the charity said: “BHT would like to thank everyone involved in the garden makeover, our tenants are so impressed.”