Temperatures are set to dip below zero prompting one council to activate its 'Severe Weather Emergency Protocol' (SWEP).

Under the procedure Shepway District Council (SDC) will offer free temporary accommodation to rough sleepers, to help combat serious illness and death.

Those in need of emergency accommodation are advised to visit Folkestone's Civic Centre in Castle Hill Avenue, as soon as possible.

A council spokesman said: "When the SWEP is triggered, we will provide emergency accommodation for any person sleeping rough in the district so that it can prevent unnecessary deaths during the cold snap."

Those in need of accommodation after 5pm or over the weekend must call the out of hours number on 01303 221888.

The SWEP is activated when the mercury is expected to fall to zero or below for three consecutive nights.

It will be reviewed on Monday and extended or ended as the weather dictates.

Temperatures are expected to plummet to -2C this weekend, with strong winds expected on Sunday.

For more information see: shepway.gov.uk/sleeping-rough-in-winter