Action is being taken to get the homeless off the streets to save their lives during the freezing weather.

Dover District Council launched its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol as early as last Wednesday as warnings began of freezing temperatures from the Beast from the East.

It has been in place ever since.

The cold winds from Russia began to bite over the weekend and led to the first flurries of snow in Dover district today (Monday) with heavy falls anticipated.

Highways England has issued an amber "be prepared" warning for 2am to noon tomorrow (Tuesday) following a Met Office forecast of full snow.

A council spokesman said: "In times of extreme and cold weather rough sleepers are particularly vulnerable to harm and death.

"The protocol will ensure that we take the necessary steps to avoid deaths on the streets by carrying out prompt action to ensure that all known rough sleepers have the opportunity to have access to shelter."

SWEP is set off when the night time temperature is predicted at zero celcius or below for three consecutive nights.

Voluntary and statutory sector partners are then called with details of who to contact to they find rough sleepers.

The council's out of hours service is also put on alert.

Rough sleepers in these conditions will be offered emergency accommodation while the the cold snap lasts.

All clients helped in this way during the SWEP period will be referred to the homelessness Porchlight so that a home visit can be arranged.

The council's daytime emergency housing booking telephone number is 01304 872265 and the out of hours one is 01304 821199.