A sandwich shop said the success of its Christmas dinner appeal means it will be able to help feed homeless people into next year.

Social Bite operates in Glasgow and Edinburgh, selling breakfast and lunches while supporting the local homeless community.

The not-for-profit enterprise hoped to raise enough money to pay for 800 plates of turkey over Christmas by asking for £5 donations.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was said to be among the thousands who helped smash the target by giving enough for more than 36,000 dinners.

Meals were provided at the Glasgow shop yesterday and Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn said "a couple of hundred" had visited the Rose Street premises in Edinburgh today.

Mr Littlejohn, who set up the business two years ago with Alice Thompson, said: "It's been great. Today we're serving soup, a roast and a chocolate brownie dessert.

"We're planning to open shops in Aberdeen and Dundee and the level of donations means we will now be able to feed homeless people at all four sites over the next year."

Social Bite describes itself as "a sandwich shop with a difference" and donates all its profits to good causes.

It helps feed the local homeless community by allowing customers to pay for food and drink for the needy through its "suspended coffee" initiative and recruits staff from homeless backgrounds.

The chain teamed up with the Itison.com deal site and asked people to make a £5 donation before Christmas.