KIND-HEARTED festive shoppers can help the homeless and vulnerable this year thanks to a special kind of Christmas tree.

The Bethany Trust, which helps more than 7,000 people across the country at risk of becoming homeless, will be selling their charityChristmas trees online and at a stall in the city centre this week.

The charity relies on the funds generated from the sale of the real trees to help fund some of their work for the rest of the year.

Chris Gordon, a community fundraiser for the charity, said: " We source the trees directly from a farm in West Calder, they're all sustainably grown.

"People think artificial trees are better for the environment, but in reality at Christmas tree farm, for every tree cut down another is planted.

"An artificial tree has to go to landfill at some point.

"The way it works is people order it online and collect it at one of six collection points throughout the city.

"Every single penny goes to our work."

Chris said volunteers and staff work with people who are isolated or lonely, or who may have had a breakdown in relationships with the rest of their family, as well as those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Thousands of people are helped by the organisation every year across the country, and at 11 specific centres in Glasgow.

Staff will be manning a stall on Buchanan Street, outside the Tron Church, from today for the rest of the week where people can buy trees, browse or ask questions.

More information is available at www.caringchristmastrees.com