The Nomad Trust charity said its night shelter would be open for an extra four hours a day, thanks to donations from local people.

From Monday, the Monks Road night shelter will open at 1600 GMT. This arrangement will continue until March.

The charity said it still needed local firms to help foot the bill for the 400 homeless rough sleepers who use the shelter each year.

In November, the Nomad Trust was forced to close its centre on Free School Lane in the city after 22 years because of financial pressure.

This came as a blow to the many homeless people who relied on its services throughout the winter months.

The extension of the night shelter's opening hours followed a public appeal.