City's homeless offered shelter from high winds

Homeless people across Liverpool have been offered shelter from the high winds that are battering the Merseyside coast.

Forecasters have warned of gusts of up to 70mph (112 kmph) in some seafront areas of the north-west of England.

Rough conditions have triggered Liverpool City Council's Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, meaning emergency accommodation will be made available to those without a place to go.

The emergency support, which includes "sit up" places, is usually offered when temperatures fall below 2C (35.6F).

Help is offered by the council in partnership with homelessness charity the Whitechapel Centre, which confirmed the high winds had triggered the extra help.

The Met Office said the strong winds in Liverpool were due to ease by 20:00 GMT.

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