A GURU told to clear out of Hayes by councillors because they said he was attracting beggars and drunks in the area by offering free food is now being supported by the council to carry on his work.

Guru Gulshan Singh the founder of Kali Matha Mandir, in Botwell Common Road, Hayes, has been giving out free food and clothes in Hayes town centre for six years. But two weeks ago the Uxbridge Gazette reported he would be ending his service on April 11 because of objections raised by councillors following complaints from residents.

However, at a meeting at Hillingdon Council on Monday Mr Singh was told by the council it is looking at places within the borough where he can offer this service.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted by the support of the council but not the councillors. We have talked about local churches or the Salvation Army in Coldharbour Lane in Hayes as possible venues."

He said that in addition to offering free food he also helps poor immigrants who want to go back to the country they came from by buying plane tickets.

He said: "We offer them help because they may be in a bad situation here, sleeping rough and vulnerable to physical abuse from others."

Fran Beasley, deputy chief executive at Hillingdon Council, said: "Hillingdon Council has had an initial meeting with Guru Singh where we have started the process of agreeing the best way forward for him to carry out his charitable work.Guru

Singh reiterated his desire to help people in Hillingdon, and we hope we will be able to work together to ensure he is supporting people in the most productive way possible." 

To find out more information about the work Mr Singh does contact him on 07990 770619.