Night shelter open over Christmas

A Leicester group is opening a night shelter for homeless people with nowhere to sleep at Christmas.

Yuletide Unity has secured accommodation for up to 15 people over five days of the holiday period.

The Christian organisation, which put on a Christmas lunch at The Case restaurant in 2006, is expanding its provision for homeless people.

It has asked people to contribute blow-up beds and food for people who will be using its night shelter over Christmas.

Yuletide Unity's project organiser Lorraine Allan said when she moved to Leicester she realised there was "absolutely nothing on Christmas Day for rough sleepers".

After the Case restaurant offered to give homeless people a meal, others came forward with offers of help.