Crystal Palace Football Club have fitted out part of their Selhurst Park stadium as an emergency shelter for homeless people during freezing Winter nights.

Up to 10 people can use the shelter which is situated in one of the Premier League club’s lounges. It has camp beds and provides hot meals, breakfast and washing facilities for rough sleepers.

Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander said the club wanted to "be a force in the community".

"We are delighted to be collaborating with Croydon Council and their partner agencies to ensure that rough sleepers can find an emergency shelter in the event of severe winter weather," he added.

Councillor Alison Butler said Palace were "setting a standard for other clubs to follow".

“Freezing temperatures are a particular safety risk for rough sleepers and this is a wonderful gesture by Crystal Palace for helping us reduce that risk.”

Find out more about the Palace for Life Foundation on its ConnectSport directory page. To add your organisation to the directory, contact hello@connectsport.co.uk.