Emergency help will be given to homeless people in Thanet after the council launched its severe weather plan.

Temperatures are set to plunge overnight for the coming days and the council said it is activating the plan today.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) will be in place "until further notice", a spokesman for Thanet District Council said.

The Met Office issued yellow warning for ice and cold temperatures for most of the UK.

Forecasters predict low temperatures across the district for Wednesday and into Thursday.

It is expected to be less than 4C overnight tonight but will feel like 0C with this dropping to -3C during parts of the night on Thursday and during the day tomorrow in Margate.

But Friday and Saturday are set to be the coldest days.

Temperatures on Friday are not set to rise above 5C, while Saturday will be even colder, reaching highs of on 3C.

The outlook in Ramsgate is similar with temperatures struggling to get above 5C but will feel more like -2C on Thursday.

On Friday, it will not reach above 6C feeling more like 3C in the day but overnight temperatures into Saturday feeling more like -3C, the Met Office said.

The SWEP policy is instigated when severe weather is forecast and every council in Britain is advised to have a strategy in place.

It aims to prevent deaths on the street and gives authorities the opportunity to help people who have previously declined support.

A spokesman for Thanet District Council said anyone requiring assistance in the coming days can call 01843 577000 for support with emergency accommodation.