Clifton restaurant Muset has had a busy Christmas season so far – and that has meant plenty of support from customers for the annual StreetSmart campaign to help the homeless of Bristol.

The family-run business in Clifton Road has signed up to help the fundraising appeal for a number of years and, despite the economic downturn, is still getting donations from diners.

Manager Phil Bourne said: "We've been involved in StreetSmart for at least five years and usually raise about £500. We get good feedback from customers, especially because the money raised in Bristol is spent locally.

"They might not have heard of StreetSmart before arriving here, but we have cards on the table with details about the campaign and by the end of the meal someone in the party will have looked at it."

Phil said some customers also gave more than the voluntary £1-per-bill donation, with one party recently having a whip-round for the appeal.

StreetSmart was launched 10 years ago in London and has since expanded to other towns and cities, with Bristol taking part for the first time in 2001.

Each year the city contributes about £10,000 to the appeal, which nationally has raised more than £3.2 million.

Money raised in each city is distributed to charities involved with the homeless in that area, so all the cash given by those enjoying a meal out in Bristol will help those in the city for whom Christmas is another day without a roof over their head.

The fundraising is done by putting an extra £1 on to bills throughout November and December while the campaign runs.

Last year's cash went to local organisations such as Caring@Christmas, Bristol Soup Run Trust, the Church Housing Trust and One 25.

A total of 15 Bristol restaurants are involved in StreetSmart, which is being supported by the Post and celebrities such as Gordon Ramsay and Antony Worrall Thompson.