CELEBRITIES including musicians and actors - and Partick Thistle's mascot, Kingsley - have raised more than £10,000 after selling the Big Issue for an hour each last week.

The money will go towards the work of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) in supporting and developing 112 street papers in 35 countries.

The celebrities took to Britain's streets last Wednesday to sell The Big Issue and Big Issue North for an hour to experience what it is like to be a street paper vendor, and also to show their support for the magazines' vendors.

In Glasgow, Partick Thistle mascot Kingsley said after his hour-long stint: “It was eye-opening that, even as a seven-foot sun, just how invisible you become to people when you are selling The Big Issue.”

Belle and Sebastian singer Stuart Murdoch said: “I enjoyed it. It feels good to be part of something that’s going on worldwide.

"I think ever since 2008, since the crash, there’s been a trickle-down effect and the homelessness situation has got worse. The phrase that comes to my head is ‘there but for the grace of god go I’.”

Herald and Times editor-in-chief Magnus Llewellin, who also took part, said: “It’s been great to be out and about meeting people and realising how much they love The Big Issue. I think I sold 12, which I think is quite a good record. It’s fantastic to know that I’ve been part of a worldwide effort for such a good cause. It’s lovely to know that there are people around the world doing something similar.”

Maxine Peake sold Big Issue North in Manchester. She said: “It was really hard. People ignoring you and blanking you is quite a difficult thing. It was quite soul destroying in some ways.”

The event gained attention from TV, newspapers, radio and websites all over the UK. And it was a hit on social media too.

INSP Chief Executive Maree Aldam said: “#VendorWeek 2016 has raised awareness of street papers as an innovative solution to homelessness and poverty. The wave of media and social media coverage around the world this week has shone a light on the 11,000 vendors that are out on the streets of 35 different countries, earning a modest income by selling great magazines.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated online and on the streets this week – particularly all the guest vendors who sold street papers alongside real vendors, from Mexico to Serbia, from Greece to the USA."