The wintry weather has left Colchester's homeless shelter at bursting point.
Picture postcard - West Stockwell Street took on a Dickensian atmosphere after the snowfall. (41183-13)
Every bed was full at the emergency night shelter in Alexandra Road, leaving volunteers at church halls to cope with the excess demand.
The situation is expected to be repeated all this week, as the snow and freezing temperatures continue.
Co-ordinator Pernille Petersen said the shelter had been forced regularly to call on churches for help since January 5.
She said: "We have been sending people to church halls on a very regular basis indeed.
"There were four or five we could not put up yesterday, and it will probably be the same tonight.
"This time of year is always bad, because the weather gets worse and people who have stayed with their families over Christmas often find that things come to an end."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, February 24, 2005
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