A SHELTER which provides accommodation to homeless people during the winter will re-open for the tenth year.

The shelter at St Peter's Church House in St Peter's Close in Hereford initially provided overnight accommodation to men who were sleeping rough but in 2015 also provided space for women.

St Peter’s Winter Shelter will re-open on November 26 and run until March 17.

Jill Butterfill, who helps to run the shelter, said: "Our aim is to provide basic accommodation overnight in the worst of the weather and also to help people find the right support and their own accommodation."

The shelter is able to accommodate a maximum of 16 men and three women each night.

Last year, 65 people used the shelter for an average of 18 nights each, though some stayed much longer and some stayed only one or two nights.

Staff at the centre are helped by a team of volunteers.

The homeless outreach officer from Herefordshire Council attended the shelter every morning and was able to arrange accommodation for 28 people.

The shelter also provide hot drinks, showers and laundry of clothes.

Funding for the shelter to pay for the staff salaries, heating, lighting etc. comes from a variety of sources including local charities, Herefordshire Council, as well as donations.

Jill added: "We were very grateful for the support of local charities, businesses and churches as well as Herefordshire Council and West Mercia Police and many individuals. Without this financial support we could not run the shelter."