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Liverpool's ‘friendliest’ homeless man has turned his shelter into a festive grotto - which he hopes will “make people happy”.

Brian Phillips, 55, has been living in an alcove underneath the Liverpool ECHO building for six months, after he claims he was attacked while sleeping rough in Anfield .

Now Brian spends his days chatting to everyone who walks past, aiming to brighten up their day with positivity and a friendly smile.

A familiar face on Old Hall Street , Brian says he has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who bring him food, clothes and hot drinks to try and help.

Speaking to the ECHO, he said: “I just love people and I want to say thank you to everyone, I feel like crying.”

He added: “I always thought people were horrible but they aren’t - they’re lovely.“

Brian receives so many kind offerings of food and warm clothing that he’s started sharing his haul out with other homeless people.

Every night, Brian says he dishes out bags of food, trays of sandwiches and clothes that are given to him by passersby. He said: “A fella even bought me a Canada Goose coat and I gave that away.”

Brian has also started looking out for other homeless people who find themselves sleeping rough on the streets of Liverpool.

When the ECHO went down to speak with Brian this week, he introduced us to a young man who had been taking shelter with him in the fire escape, having recently become homeless.

Brian said: “I try to help other lads out. I feel like I’m meant to be here.“

Despite spending the last seven months living on the streets, Brian says he manages to keep a positive outlook on his current situation.

He said he strives to keep his shelter clean and tidy, adding: “I don’t see this as a doorway - I see it as my home, an apartment.”

Brian claims he became homeless after he was subjected to benefit sanctions for missing mandatory Job Seekers’ Allowance appointments.

Struggling with money and unable to support himself, he was forced to live on the streets of Anfield, where he claims he was attacked, prompting him to move to the city centre.

With the Christmas period fast approaching, Brian decided to bring a spot of festive cheer to Old Hall Street by turning his shelter into a colourful grotto.

He hung festive wreaths, snowmen and Santas from the walls of the alcove, saying: “It’s to make people happy. People say it makes them happy.”

Brian added: “That tree opposite has lights on it and it’s like Christmas Day every day.”

Asked if he needed people to bring him anything to get him through the winter, he simply said: “Smiles. Loads of smiles and loads of hugs. That’s all I want. I don’t want for nothing.”

A council source said: “Brian is a victim of the Government’s benefit sanctions, that can leave people utterly destitute and makes it more likely they end up on the street.

“This then transfers the problem to councils, the NHS and police – all of which have had their budgets slashed by the government.

“Despite this, the Council spends £11 million a year helping to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place through a range of measures.

"We also fund the Whitechapel Centre to help get rough sleepers off the street, so they are warm and safe. We want people in beds, not doorways.”