SHOWER and washing facilities for homeless people have been opened in an Oxfordshire town.

The Salvation Army successfully raised funds for the free new facilities, the first of its kind in Banbury, from members of the local community.

Previously homeless people were only able to wash or clean their clothes by paying to use a leisure centre or laundrette.

Captain Xander Coleman, the local Salvation Army minister, said: “Something as simple as being able to have a shower, shave and wear clean clothes can make all the difference in the world for someone’s self esteem, dignity and sense of self-worth.