A PRAYER stall which has recently re-opened in St Mary's Market to provide a quiet space amid the hustle and bustle, is asking shoppers a rather unusual favour...

Market goers are being asked to 'drop their knickers' - this might seem a bit dubious, but it's all for a good cause.

One of the market's two chaplains, Emma Howarth, explained that a bin has been placed in the stall so that people can drop off any new, unwanted knickers or underpants, which will be passed on to a homeless charity at Hope House.

She said: "The prayer stall is open every day, all day, and is sometimes staffed by a volunteer, but is often just empty. It's a space where people, religious or not, can have a rest and maybe contemplate the spiritual side of life."

She said: "At Hope House, they provide breakfasts for homeless people and they also provide facilities for people to shower and change. They try to provide clean underwear but they are always really short of stocks.

"So... it would be appreciated if anyone with undies they don't want, perhaps gifts that are too small or large or just not liked very much, could drop them in our market stall."

The prayer stall opened around 18 months ago in a unit in St Mary's Market as a temporary Christmas feature, but it was kept on as it was popular with shoppers.

The stall has a prayer wall, bibles and a bowl into which people can drop prayers they write.

Emma said: "People are always welcome to stop by and use the stall, and if they have something they want others to help them pray for, they can write it down and drop it in the bowl."