Malvern residents are being encouraged to alert the District Council of rough sleepers over the festive period.

The Malvern Hills District Council is working in tandem with charities and health organisations to assist those without a roof over their heads.

The plea is to communicate any sightings of rough sleepers to Streetlink service.

The service will deliver this information to the council and partners to make necessary contact and determine if support is already being provided.

If it is not then assistance, including accommodation, will be offered.

Councillor Natalie McVey, portfolio holder for housing and health at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "Our housing team and our partners work incredibly hard throughout the year to support people who are homeless, as well as prevent people from losing their homes in the first place.

"But despite all the support available, we sadly still see people sleeping rough.

"We can offer help if we know where people are.

"If you see someone sleeping rough, please use thestreetlink.org.uk and let us know, and maybe we can change someone’s life for the better this Christmas."

Temporary shelters, run by the charity Caring for Communities & People (CCP), will be readily available to rough sleepers from December 23 through to December 27.

The charity operates these shelters on the council's behalf, also arranging accommodation during extreme weather conditions under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

Residents can also extend a helping hand by donating to registered charity partners that collaborate with the council in supporting rough sleepers.

Information on such charities can be found on the Malvern Hills District Council website.

The call from the council is part of the small change Big Difference campaign.

It aims to prevent people from becoming homeless and make the changes needed to support these individuals over a longer period.

The District Council says it wants "to help end homelessness for good" by working with a number of charities and encouraging people to donate to organisations which are carrying out work to support the homeless.