The Nomad Trust, which has been working in Lincoln for 21 years, needs to find �150 per night to keep 15 beds available at its night shelter.

The charity has had to close its day centre because of a shortage of cash.

It wants businesses and individuals to sponsor a bed at a cost of �10 per night and said the cold weather has made its work more urgent.

The manager of the trust, Andy Tysoe, said: "We have just come through a relatively cold snap and finding shelter in that weather can literally mean the difference between living and dying.

"We want to be there for the homeless, particularly through those cold snaps which can be so dangerous."

The trust said it would happily accept donations of any size.