Crystal Palace to shelter homeless at Selhurst Park stadium Published duration 19 January 2019

image copyright Crystal Palace FC image caption Camp beds are set up in a lounge in Crystal Palace's ground when temperatures drop below freezing

A Premier League club has offered part of its stadium as an emergency shelter for rough sleepers.

Crystal Palace FC will turn part of Selhurst Park in south London into a space where up to 10 homeless people can sleep when temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing.

They will also be given a hot meal, breakfast and washing facilities, said Croydon Council, who helped set it up.

Eight people used the emergency shelter on Thursday night.

They slept on camp beds which were set up in a lounge inside the club's ground.

image copyright Getty Images image caption The new emergency shelter at Selhurst Park can house up to 10 homeless people

Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander said the club wanted to "be a force in the community".

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Croydon Council and their partner agencies to ensure that rough sleepers can find an emergency shelter in the event of severe winter weather," he added.

When Selhurst Park is unavailable due to home matches, the council said it would continue to refer rough sleepers to other emergency shelters in Croydon and in central London.

image copyright Crystal Palace FC image caption The rough sleepers will also be given a hot meal, breakfast and washing facilities

Councillor Alison Butler said Crystal Palace was "setting a standard for other clubs to follow".

"Freezing temperatures are a particular safety risk for rough sleepers and this is a wonderful gesture by Crystal Palace for helping us reduce that risk."