The severe weather emergency provision for rough sleepers in Wiltshire has been activated.

This protocol is backed by the government and is launched during extremely cold weather, when temperatures fall to zero degrees or lower for three consecutive days.

Wiltshire Council has activated it in anticipation of the low temperatures forecast over the next few days, which means emergency accommodation will be provided.

This is divided into ten bed spaces at Albaré Place in Salisbury, six at Unity House in Chippenham and six at the Haven in Trowbridge.

Wiltshire Council requests that residents report people sleeping rough so that a member of the outreach team can make contact with them.

Earlier this month, the council was asked for its view on the use of tents by rough sleepers in the county after calls by the ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman for them to be banned.

The council responded that it encouraged rough sleepers to engage with other offers of accommodation, instead of using tents.

The met office has announced a possibility of snow across parts of the south towards the end of the week.

The cold temperatures are expected to continue into the weekend, which poses a significant risk to those without shelter.