A scheme to help the homeless in Sussex has been hailed as the most successful ever.

A total of 37 restaurants have signed up to the Streetsmart project in Brighton and Hove, which is expected to raise more than £16,000 by Christmas.

The unique scheme, which involves diners at each business donating £1 on top of their bills, has been running in the city for seven years.

But this is by far the most successful in terms of the number of restaurants which have signed up.

StreetSmart's organiser in Brighton and Hove, Alison Ali, said: "The support we've had from right across the city has been wonderful.

"We're sure it is the biggest ever coming together of restaurateurs in Brighton and Hove for one single cause.

"The people who are donating money have also been wonderful, with many of them prepared to give more than the suggested £1 per table."

A small card is placed on each table of the participating restaurants outlining how Streetsmart works.

Diners are then invited to donate an optional £1 per table.

The money collected this year will be donated to numerous charities which help the homeless.

Last year £16,000 was raised which has since been sent out and spent on items ranging from socks and blankets to art classes and other activities.

Paula Black, owner of the Blenio restaurant in Dyke Road, Brighton, and a new StreetSmart supporter this year, said: "At Blenio, the highest exercise of hospitality is in the giving.

"Our guests, too, see the £1 donation not as a duty but as a privilege. All the team at Blenio are proud to be a platform for StreetSmart to reach out in a very simple and honest way."

Roz Watson, from the Meadow in Western Road, Hove, another new supporter this year, said: "The Meadow are staunch supporters of local charity and we see StreetSmart as very effective and worthwhile. Ninety-nine per cent of our customers are more than happy to contribute."

David Smale, owner of Coriander in Manor Parade, Hove, said: "StreetSmart is so easy to comprehend - the most important thing is that every single penny goes towards carefully selected local charities."

Eleanor Cook, from Seven Dials Restaurant, said: "All our customers are delighted to have the opportunity to give in this way - indeed some of them are offering more than the £1, which is great."

Mrs Ali believes Streetsmart has been so successful this year because word of the scheme has spread.

She said: "More and more want to get on board. A lot more people now realise the work we are doing and have seen the results for themselves and where the money is going."

There is still around a week for restaurants to join Streetsmart. For more details call Mrs Ali on 01273 607485 or 07796 265130.

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