Homeless shelters in Oxford have been throwing open their doors to everyone on the streets to prevent anyone dying in the cold snap.

Oxford Homeless Pathways chief executive Lesley Dewhurst said: “The trigger for us is when the forecast says temperatures will drop below freezing for three nights in a row.

“In addition to a few nights at the beginning of the new year, we have opened our doors to everyone since the end of January.

“Everyone is offered a spot to sleep, along with a floor mat, a sleeping bag and some soup and a sandwich.

“It is better than nothing. Our aim is to stop anyone dying on the streets from the cold.”

About 20 extra people a night have found a place to sleep at the city’s hostels.