Number of street sleepers 'rises' in Worcester

The number of homeless people sleeping on the streets of Worcester has increased during difficult economic times, a charity says.

Betel of Britain said a year ago it saw up to seven people a night in the city, but that had risen to at least 20.

A spokesman added: "But that's only the ones we see, a lot of people will go under cover and so we don't see them."

The Birmingham-based charity has been working with volunteers from St Paul's Church, Worcester, over the past year.

The charity, which provides shelter and support, said homelessness, long-term unemployment and substance abuse was escalating in the UK.