What help will rough sleepers get during icy blast?

Emergency plans for homeless people on the streets in Lancashire are being brought together as the recent big freeze looks set to continue - and a storm is also on the way.

The county's severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) sees local partners across the area working to get vulnerable people off the streets when temperatures fall below zero for at least three nights in a row.

It comes as the Met Office issued another yellow weather warning for ice and Storm Goretti was forecast to bring strong winds and snowfall to England on Thursday and Friday.

Colin Mottershead, from the Salvation Army's hostel in Blackburn, said "extreme weather can kill" and it was critical to help the vulnerable.

"Nobody should have to sleep rough and the cold temperatures have exposed how hard life can be on the streets."

Blackpool Council said its Housing Options team undertakes regular street outreach work to identify and offer support to rough sleepers particularly during the winter months, providing offers of support and accommodation where possible.

When SWEP is activated, an offer of accommodation will be made to rough sleepers through a partnership led by Helping Hearts Fylde and supported by Street Angels and Homeless Action.

The council said: "We are confident that through partnership working, rough sleepers will have access to holistic support."

Kim Hughes, from the Blackpool charity Streetlife Trust, said the number of people needing help can change each night.

"We do also have a winter provision that runs throughout the winter which Homeless Action run, so they will try and accommodate people either in one of the local hostels, temporary accommodation or the winter provision," she said.

She said Helping Hearts Fylde volunteered to run helps from their premises this year.

"It's put-up beds basically. It's not hotel accommodation. It's very much an emergency protocol so it's get as many people inside as needs be so that they've got somewhere warm to sleep for the night."

In Preston, councillor Peter Kelly, cabinet member for communities, social justice and night-time economy, said the SWEP service was "designed to support those most in need, including individuals who are rough sleeping, have no access to benefits, lack a local connection, have no recourse to public funds, or present with other complex needs".

He said the SWEP element of the rough sleepers service provides 10 spaces, with an additional 10 allocated through a targeted outreach approach.

"From January, a further 20 spaces will become available at a separate facility, including 10 dedicated spaces for women who are rough sleeping. This extended provision will run until the end of March," he continued.

He said the wider Off the Street Pathway, of which SWEP is a part, offered about 80 spaces across various settings.

"These services aim to meet the needs of individuals transitioning toward independent living, particularly those with long-term histories of rough sleeping," he said.

Meanwhile, in Blackburn, the Salvation Army's Bramwell House said it was also ready to support rough sleepers.

The Lifehouse will offer emergency shelter to anyone sleeping rough in the area, working in association with the housing needs team at Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Mottershead, service manager at the Salvation Army's Bramwell House hostel on Heaton Street, said: "We're only too pleased to offer the service again and engage with those in danger within the area.

"Extreme weather can kill and it's critical that local organisations work together to support the most vulnerable members of our community, getting them safely indoors."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.