CHORLEY'S most rockin' rev is set to swap his comfy bed for a drafty wooden bench tonight (Thursday) in an effort to highlight the plight of homeless people across the borough.

The Rev Phillip Chew, of St Laurence's Church, Chorley, was featured in the Citizen in January following his efforts to help the homeless in Chorley.

He will be spending all night camped on the bench in the grounds of St Laurence's in an act of solidarity and also to boost the cause of charity Help The Homeless Chorley who are planning to build a shelter in the town.

He and his wife Janice Chew are also due to appear on the Kilroy show soon.

Phillip also aims to re-release some of his hits he made with 80s' punk band Euro-K to part fund the proposed homeless shelter. The popular Blackburn-based band were on the road from 1982 to 1990 and played in various venues across the north of England, including many performances at Chorley's former White Hart pub.

Phillip said: "There will be people from the parish who will be visiting me throughout Thursday night to bring me food and drinks.

"I think there's a certain amount of vulnerability about sleeping rough on the streets all night, but I am happy to take that risk just to highlight the fact that there are no provisions for homeless people in Chorley."

Phillip was inspired after seeing first-hand the suffering of homeless people forced to spend Christmas sleeping on Chorley Bus Station.

If you want to support Phillip, or would like to find out more information, call him on (01257) 231360.

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