Royal visit has given the people of Burnley 'hope for the future'

That is the verdict of Pastor Mick Fleming, founder of Church on the Street which Prince William and Kate Middleton came to visit last week.

"This couple are the future leaders of this country and to know that they care about issues like poverty and homelessness and want to do what they can to help gives us so much hope," said Pastor Fleming.

The low key visit took place last Thursday and the identity of the VIPs was kept under wraps until the very last minute when they arrived at the converted gym in Hammerton Street.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had requested a personal visit to the hub, that was set up in 2019, in a bid to help the growing number of homeless people, vulnerable and disadvantaged families and those coping with addiction problems in Burnley.

The opening of the hub, that made national headlines across the UK, became possible after a BBC documentary about the charity saw donations totalling £250,000 flood in from across the UK.

Pastor Fleming added: " Prince William has a special interest in homelessness and mental health issues and Kate's field is addiction and recovery so we ticked all the boxes for them