East Devon District Council is offering emergency accommodation to the homeless this winter, as the UK expects wintery conditions with the possibility of snow in the coming weeks.

The charity Crisis estimates that around 227,000 people were officially homeless in England in 2021.

Whilst homeless people are helped to find accommodation all year around, during the winter months the council can activate a 'red' warning for severe weather or extreme cold, and an 'amber' warning for a local event or condition which would increase the risk to people sleeping rough.

The council's Severe Weather Protocol is activated when the temperature is at zero or below for more than three days or there is severe rain, wind or snow.