The Nomad Trust in Lincoln had to close the shelter in the city centre in 2005 because of a shortage of money.

But it is now opening its night shelter, in Monks Road, during the day as well to help cut costs.

The Nomad Trust's manager, Andy Tysoe, said the pooling of resources into one location had strengthened the charity.

'Empathy'

The Monks Road centre offers accommodation for up to 16 people at night and hot meals for homeless people during the daytime.

Mr Tysoe said raising money for a homeless charity was difficult given many people's perceptions.

"Some people have got absolutely no empathy at all with homelessness and some people - perhaps who have been involved with homelessness or a member of the family that's been involved with it - have got a tremendous empathy with what we do. "So when we are fundraising we can either be helped greatly or completely ignored."