A SCHEME run by churches to reduce the numbers of homeless on the streets of Oxford is to return next year, with additional beds.

Emergency night shelter accommodation for men and women was made available in January, February and March.

Rough sleeping increased in the city in 2017, leading to local council and homelessness agencies uniting tackle the problem.

City centre churches which offered accommodation were St Aldate’s, St Alban’s, St Clement’s, St Columba’s, St Ebbe’s, St Michael at the North Gate and Wesley Memorial.

Each night a different church offered beds to 10 homeless people.

Rev Mary Gurr, Oxford’s homelessness chaplain, said: “We are indebted to our many donors: local charities, churches, colleges, and individuals for their generosity.

“The number of rough sleepers at the beginning of the project was 61 and it is unlikely that number will decrease. It has been decided, therefore, to increase capacity in the winter of 2019 to 20 guests per night.”

The shelter idea arose because of concern about the plight of rough sleepers on the coldest nights of the year.

More than 250 volunteers from different backgrounds were recruited and trained. They helped to serve guests, with some referred by charity St Mungo’s.