A CHRISTMAS tree donated by former Coronation Street star Denise Welch and a host of soap stars including Kym Marsh has added some Christmas sparkle to a homeless scheme in Old Trafford.

Denise, who hosted a recent star-studded annual charity ball that had a New York winter wonderland theme, gave the tree to Pomona Gardens, a homeless scheme in Old Trafford run by Great Places Housing Group.

Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, joined residents at the scheme to add festive decorations to the tree and host a Christmas party.

Ms Green said: “Pomona Gardens is an important supported housing scheme helping homeless residents from Trafford to get back on their feet.

"The scheme will be doing all it can to ensure Christmas is special by providing Christmas dinner, activities to prevent isolation and shelter for people who would otherwise be on the streets over the festive period."

Claire Alcock, service manager at Pomona Gardens, said: “We house up to 20 residents at a time who would otherwise be sleeping rough or sofa surfing. Christmas is a particularly tough time of the year to be living in this situation so we were thrilled to have been gifted such a magnificent tree and be able to share a little festive spirit with our residents.”

Pomona Gardens provides accommodation and support for homeless men and women aged 18 to 65 years in Trafford, helping them to overcome mental health issues, relationship breakdowns and drug and alcohol problems.