Diners at 25 restaurants in Brighton and Hove enjoyed having a meal out and helped the homeless at the same time.

StreetSmart, run in the city over Christmas, raised the impressive total of £12,000 so rough sleepers could have a chance to build a better life.

All they had to do was donate £1, far less than most people give as a tip after a good meal.

Like many of the best ideas, it was simple, effective, novel and enjoyable. Nationally it raised more than £250,000.

There's no reason why this scheme should not spread and raise millions of pounds every year for the homeless.

Many diners feel compassion if not guilt when they come out of restaurants and see homeless people in the streets.

This scheme ensures cash goes to charities which can target the money properly rather than giving it directly to beggars, which is a lottery.