Winchester's drop-in facility for people marginalised by poverty is "bursting at the seams", says its chairman, Jane Roberts.

"Administration and medical staff have barely room to turn around ," she says in her annual report on Trinity Centre.

"We shall continue to seek land in a suitable location so that we can move to larger premises as soon as possible."

The centre in St Paul's Hill, offers information, advice, counselling and healthcare to people hit by homelessness, unemployment, illness, or addicted to drugs.

Secretary, Charles Taylor, says in his report to the AGM on September 19th that an average of 40 use the centre daily, with peaks of up to 60.

"Virtually all those who come receive food, breakfast or lunch, or both! Advice on specific issues has been given on well over 2000 occasions over the year."

Manager, Michelle Gardner, says a big "thank-you" to last year's mayor, Thrse Evans, for choosing the centre as one of her charities.

"It raised our profile and gave a respectability not often afforded to those working with homelessness, mental ill-health and substance misuse."

However, "the reality of being a charity hit home recently with the cessation of funding for our much-valued acupuncture service and furniture scheme."

And the manager said: "Undoubtedly, the biggest triumph has been our successful tendering for a new shopfront drug service. 'Rupert's' is set to open in the autumn at No 4, Bridge Street and is at Durngate House in the interim."