A village chip shop has shown its generosity after introducing a revolutionary way to help feed the homeless.

Barming Fish and Chips, on Tonbridge Road, revealed on Facebook they would feed homeless people free chips as winter shelters begin to shut.

Mel Wallis, who has worked there for three years, saw a comment from one customer suggesting a "Pay It Forward" initiative.

The scheme, which is big in America, allows for customers to pay for a portion of food for someone else who is in need.

The original Facebook post was shared almost 4,000 times and received more than 200 comments.

Mel, along with Noah and Mehmet Karsandi, took the customer's advice on board and have seen the generosity of those in Barming in huge doses.

She said: "I saw the homeless man Roger who lives in Barming woods and he comes in here for lunch and we give him his food.

"He has had kids go up to the woods and rip up his camp and wee on it. We got him a sleeping bag and we looked after him.

"People would always ask if they could buy him chips and when I posted it on Facebook there was a guy who said about the Pay it Forward thing which is an American concept and it went viral."

Pay It Forward means any customer can choose to pay for a portion of food that can can later be cooked for a homeless person who visits later in the day.

A voucher is paid for and pinned on the wall and can be collected by a homeless person to exchange for a bag of chips.

A bag of chips at the shop costs just £1.90 and is a small price to pay to help a homeless person in Barming.

Mel added: "We love doing this kind of thing. There is always someone around the corner who is in need.

"I thought we would have got 100 shares from customers but the response from everyone has been absolutely phenomenal.

"We want to raise awareness of homelessness in Maidstone and the fact the winter shelters are closing now and people are on the streets.

"They aren't all druggies or drinkers, you shouldn't judge.

"That kind of thing could happen to anyone."

Mel is also keen for other eateries to replicate the initiative and help feed those who would otherwise struggle to have a meal.

She said: "f we can get even one more shop or restaurant to do this then we have done our jobs.

"There are six of us in the shop so we couldn't give away chips for free otherwise we would be out of a job. Pay It Forward is a good idea."