THE new Mayor of Winchester was treated to an early-bird book party when she visited a homeless shelter.

Cllr Eileen Berry visited Nightshelter residents and staff, at Jewry Street, to sample some home baking as part of the charity’s forthcoming cookbook launch.

The Good Scoff Cook Book is a newly published budget recipe book which has been driven by a number of food-based workshops aimed at helping Nightshelter residents.

The book will be officially launched in September.

Michele Price, Nightshelter manager, said: “We were enormously pleased that the mayor took time out from her busy schedule to visit us and learn more about our vital work supporting local homeless people.

“We are so much more than just a Nightshelter, and our services go far beyond offering food and accommodation – for example we also offer essential advocacy, counselling and financial advice. The mayor really appreciated how vital it is that we spread the word about how our services can make such a huge difference to the lives of homeless people - we’re extremely grateful for her support.”

Cllr Berry was given a full tour before meeting and greeting residents whom cooked some of the samples given to her. The residents’ cookery workshops were held to improve cooking skills and nutritional awareness.