LEGENDARY England cricket star Ian Botham has thrown his weight behind the "A Place For Us" Christmas campaign to help the homeless in Basingstoke.

Beefy's backing will hopefully encourage more local support for the campaign which aims to provide vital funds for May Place House - Basingstoke's frontline hostel for the homeless.

The former England cricket captain said people tend to get embroiled with their own Christmas preparations and become a little too self-indulgent.

He added: "I think it is easy to become insular and forget about people out there who aren't as lucky."

The A Place For Us campaign involves restaurants and other eating outlets agreeing to add £1 to diners' bills and donating this cash to the homeless hostel. It is a voluntary scheme and customers can decline to take part.

The famous cricketer gave his support to A Place For Us when he visited Hammicks bookstore in the town centre on Thursday to sign copies of Botham's Century for his fans.

Referring to his backing for the homeless campaign, he said: "The real people who deserve a pat on the back are the guys at May Place House, like general manager Chris Diston and fundraiser David Charsley, who are doing all the hard work."

Botham's backing came as Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter gave an enthusiastic welcome to a discussion document which outlines a strategy for single homelessness in the borough.

The document was written by Graeme Willis, of the newly-formed Basingstoke Action On Single Homelessness Group. He has spent many years working in the field of homelessness and has addressed a problem which, in Mr Hunter's opinion, "has received, and is receiving, too little attention".

Mr Willis writes: "Basingstoke has a thriving economy and a demand-led housing market.

"As a result, house prices are considerably above the national average and beyond the reach of many first time buyers.

"Demand for social rented housing is therefore extremely high and as a result the borough has a lengthy waiting list."

The Basingstoke MP said: "For three years I have been urging the borough council to preside over the formation of a local strategy. I hope that Graeme's ideas can form a basis for this.

"The important thing is that the issue is discussed and the appropriate action taken. We could and should do better."