The number of homeless people who attended a winter shelter's opening night was four-and-a-half times higher than the same session last year.

In total 36 people made the trip to Sanctuary's evening drop in session at Milton Road's Gravesend Methodist Church, compared to eight last year.

Manger Steve Nolan said his team of volunteers were "swamped" as they served up hot meals to guests.

Numbers have been steady and he says the shelter has welcomed between 25 and 30 people from 6.30pm to 10pm on Thursdays and Sundays.

The two-hour sessions during the day on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are welcoming between 15 and 20 users, compared to an average of 10 last year.

In the two weeks from October 3 82 individuals went to Sanctuary, equating to a staggering 400 visits.

Mr Nolan, who runs Sanctuary with wife Lorna, said: "I can't quite work out why there's such a greater demand this year. I think there's a combination of factors at play.

"I don't blame the government or the council, I think the biggest issue is affordable accommodation. You can build homes on every blade of grass in Gravesham but if these people can't pay the rent they'll still be homeless."

But despite the increased demand Mr Nolan has ambitions of opening for an additional night.

He said: "We really want to open on a Wednesday so we can get three consecutive nights in a row. Last year we ran on Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays and were fully booked. We are also hoping to get an extra building."

At the start of November the council will conduct it's annual count of homeless people. Often criticised for only taking figures from one night the survey also only considers those on the streets homeless when actually, Mr Nolan says, sofa surfing is also a major issue.

He added: "In big cities the counts work as homeless people are very visible but in semi-rural and rural areas they are far less accurate."

Last year 170 volunteers helped run Sanctuary, which rehoused 17 people, resolved 25 health issues, voluntarily repatriated five and got another five into employment.

Mr Nolan said while there is a lot of interest in helping with the day-time and evening sessions, the night openings, which begin in December, are less popular.

A recent study showed at least 450 people died while homeless last year, 13 of which were in Kent, including 53-year-old Mary Lane who was found in woodland near Thames Way, Gravesend, in April.

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