Charities and projects supporting the homeless in Bradford are bracing themselves for a rush as temperatures plummet and the needs of the homeless soar.

Director of The Bradford Soup Run, John Tempest, said at Christmas, numbers the organisation fed almost doubled as many people came 'home'.

And he urgently needs blankets and warm clothing to hand out and cash donations to meet food bills.

He said: "The homeless situation in Bradford isn't getting any better and at Christmas it's worse. Usually we feed about 70 people on a Friday night, but at Christmas it's around 120."

Bradford Nightstop also helps young people to keep off the freezing streets at Christmas.

Young homeless people aged between 16 and 25 are referred to the charity by agencies like the police and the Samaritans. If they are suitable, they are allocated to a volunteer's house for a night. But there are only 15 such hosts in the district.

Mr Foster said: "We get busier at Christmas and especially at the start of the New Year, usually because families have had rows."

Volunteers at a Christmas refuge at St Mary's Church Hall in Bradford are expecting increased numbers.

Organiser Dr Jackie Hughes, said: "Last year we had around 60 people turning up during the days and about 15 sleeping at nights.

"This year we've had more time to drop leaflets and fliers around hostels and hospitals so we're expecting a lot more people."

The success of the first refuge sparked a call for help to be offered on public holidays, leading organisers to open the shelter every Friday, as well as at Easter.

To help to raise funds for the shelter, known as The Place, a special Christmas CD - called No Room - has been recorded by Tim Moon.

The City Centre Project at Piccadilly, which helps young people with housing needs, will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day but its drop-in and advice service will be open as usual the rest of the time.

Activities and projects worker Andy Hemming said: "It's important that people who don't have a roof over their heads know there are places to keep warm, be fed and get company over Christmas."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "A wide range of support services are available to homeless people in Bradford including help with budgeting, benefits advice and access to mental health and drug services, and employment and training opportunities."

One of the centres funded by the Council is The Day Shelter at 16-20 Edmond Street, Bradford, which will be open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but closed on December 27 and 28.