HUNDREDS of people will be bedding down under the stars at a Southampton golf course next month so others do not have to.

The Society of St James, which cares for about 500 homeless people in the city every year, is holding a sponsored sleep-out at the Southampton Municipal Golf Course.

People of all ages are expected to tuck up in their sleeping bags on the course fairways hoping for a cooked breakfast in the morning.

Director Trevor Pickup of the Society of St James, said: "We've done a couple of these in the past and they

have always been quite successful.

"This year we are hoping for our best turn out yet, which is why we have been advertising the event more widely."

One of those who will be taking part is Charlotte Poole who will be leading a team from Southampton-based law firm Eric Robinson Solicitors onto the course after she first persuades them to sleep rough.

Charlotte, 26, an employment law expert, said: "I'm a member of the Southampton Junior Chamber of Comm-erce and the Society of St James is our official charity for 2003.

"I've managed to recruit some from our institutional conveyancing department but I'm still trying to talk some of the girls into it.''

"We'll be taking our sleeping bags and woolly hats and just hoping it doesn't rain.

"Fortunately the clubhouse will be open all night.

"There's going to be a licensed bar so we'll be enjoying a drink."

Entertainment, prizes, putting competitions, celebrity guests and of course a cooked breakfast in the morning will go with the sleep-out, which takes place on Friday, July 18 from 7pm.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and to

qualify for the cooked break-

fast adults must raise a

minimum £25 and £15 for youngsters.

For details of how to take part in the sleep-out call Dave Cates on 023 8063 4596 or Bill Webb on 023 8076 8927 or visit www.societyofstjames.org.uk.