AS winter begins to bite, a kind-hearted Haverfordwest shop owner has set up a coat exchange to help homeless people keep warm.

Claire Guymer last week placed a rail outside her shop, Guymers Sweets & Treats, on Haverfordwest High Street, for people to anonymously donate or take a coat.

As a veteran of the Royal Corps of Signals, Claire aims to help ex-service personnel and anyone in need of help.

“I know there are a lot of homeless veterans on the streets and I’ve been wondering for a while what we can to do help,” she said.

“I saw a story in England with coats outside a shop and I thought why we can’t do something like that here?

“Last week when they said the weather was turning, I thought it’s going to be now or never.”

Since putting the word out, three bin bags full of donations have been dropped off at the shop and the rail has a selection of men’s and women’s coats.

Those who have a coat that is not the right size are also able to swap it for another on the rail.

“People can drop them off or they can just hang it up and carry on walking; they don’t have to speak to anyone,” said Claire.

“A lot of homeless are quite proud and don’t want to be asking for a coat or a pair of gloves.”

As part of the scheme, the shop owner has put a pair of gloves and a hat in the pockets of each jacket to help those in need keep extra warm.

The rail will be kept outside the shop during business hours, Monday to Saturday.

Guymers Sweets & Treats opened three months ago and is located at 17 High Street.