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An emergency shelter for Liverpool’s homeless people opened last night as temperatures are set to plunge as low as -7°C.

The Whitechapel Centre will have its Cold Weather Shelter opened from 10pm for rough sleepers.

The homeless and housing charity operates the cold weather provision every winter.

A spokesman for The Whitechapel Centre said: “The shelter opens when the temperature is predicted to be 0°C or lower for three consecutive nights.

“It offers a warm and safe place to stay overnight, hot food and drinks and a change of clothing, if needed.

“The Cold Weather Shelter opens to rough sleepers from 10pm to 8am on the first predicted cold night and remains open until the temperature increases to 1°C.”

The shelter is situated at St Stephen with St Catherine’s Church in Crown Street, near Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

When the Cold Weather Shelter is due to open, all agencies which have contact with rough sleepers are notified, so no one has to freeze on the streets.

The Met Office said the maximum temperature expected yesterday was 4°C.

A spokesman for the weather service said of last night's weather.

“A hard frost is likely to develop and isolated freezing fog patches are also possible. The minimum temperature will be -7°C.

The Whitechapel Centre, which is based in Langsdale Street, works with people who are sleeping rough, living in hostels or struggling to manage their accommodation.

It is committed to helping people find and maintain a home and learn the life skills essential for independent living.

To find out more visit www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk