Socially distanced pods built for the homeless in Weston-super-Mare
Eighteen specially designed pods for the homeless have opened in Weston-super-Mare.
The socially distanced pods mean people sleeping rough have somewhere to go at night.
Nearly all communal homeless night shelters are currently closed as it is not possible for people to socially distance.
The shelter in the Boulevard is one of the first in the country to open, which was only possible by creating separate pods for people to sleep in.
Somewhere To Go Day and Night, the group behind the pods fears there will be a new wave of homelessness in the Somerset town as a result of coronavirus.
The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated the catering and tourism industry that Weston-super-Mare heavily relies on as a source of jobs and income.
A large number of jobs were lost throughout lockdown as restaurants and tourist attractions were forced to close.
The local food bank recorded a nearly 100% rise in the number of families with children needing support during the three months.
From April to June, 766 children were fed from the foodback - this is up from 387 in the same period in 2019.
The premises on North Street is struggling to cope with the demand.
The team is currently in negotiations for a lease on a larger warehouse that can store more donations.
There is an appeal for more donations as the demand exceeds the current stock levels.
They are also asking for donations of games, jigsaw puzzles, colouring books and pens to entertain children during the summer holidays.