Tim Burgess: The Charlatans singer returns to serve coffees for homeless

Tim Burgess got involved in the cafe after meeting its owner at a music festival

Indie music star Tim Burgess has returned to help raise thousands of pounds to buy coffee for the homeless.

The Charlatans singer put in another shift behind the counter at Papercup Coffee in Liverpool city centre.

The cafe opened two years ago and operates a scheme that invites customers to buy a coffee for a vulnerable person.

Liverpool City Council has said the city is experiencing a homelessness crisis.

The government said it had given the city almost £4m to prevent people ending up on the streets.

It was the second time Burgess had helped out at the café, after meeting its founder Michelle Langan at the Kendal Calling music festival.

"Liverpool's got a pretty bad homeless situation, and Michelle is doing something about it," he told Sunday Politics North West.

"I'm not political but I like people.

"I just feel like I am in a really great position to be able to do something."

Liverpool is experiencing a homeless crisis says its council

He said on his previous shift his coffee-making skills had been criticised.

"I'm a good rock and roll star and I can write songs, but I can't do everything" he said.

Ryan has been sleeping rough for the last 11 months and said a coffee bought by a stranger might be a small gesture, but it meant a lot.

"Every time I come here I get exactly what I need," he said.

"I even got a hat last time.

"They always give me a hot drink and a bite to eat.

"It means a bit of hope in our society. It means a lot. We don't even know who they are.

Michelle Langan said the cafe was grateful for the singer's help

Ms Langan said: "Tim has been so kind. It just shines a light on not only the charity but the issue of homelessness."

She said the situation in Liverpool was worsening.

"This is the worst I have ever seen it. I have never seen so many tents in town. We are also getting more customers who need our help," she said.

The cafe said the few hours Burgess had worked behind the counter had raised enough money to buy more than 300 cups for vulnerable people.

The full interview will be broadcast in Sunday Politics North West on BBC One at 10:00 on 10 December.