The official opening of two new Salvation Army social service centres in Central London means that there are now homes for another 166 vulnerable people in the capital.

On just one day, The Salvation Army officially opened the Hopetown social services centre for women in East London, and Cambria House centre for men near King's Cross.

The leaders of The Salvation Army's UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland, Commissioners John and Betty Matear, led services of dedication and unveiled plaques at both centres to mark their official opening.

At both opening ceremonies Commissioner John Matear prayed that the centres would be a place of safety and security, where residents would find peace and a purpose. He said everyone was valued in the centre and that The Salvation Army was here to serve.

"I am often asked why, in the sophisticated 21st century, The Salvation Army still engages in social welfare provision and my reply is 'because people are important to God'. It is for God's purposes, and to God's glory that we do this work," he said.

At Hopetown, just off Whitechapel in East London, 99 women can be accommodated in en-suite bedrooms, which are centred around communal kitchen and living areas. There are also 19 self-catering studio flats on site which residents can move into as gradually adapt to living independently.