Homeless sleeping cabins to stay for another winter

Ten self-contained units have provided accommodation in Blackburn since 2020

Ten portable cabins for homeless people to sleep in are to be kept in use for another year.

The units, which are on the former Shadsworth Leisure Centre site in Blackburn, were first used during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been using them ever since and now wants permission to keep them in place this winter.

The pods are insulated, have a bed, toilet, shower, kitchen access, key-coded door and have on-site security.

The pods are insulated, have a bed, toilet, shower and kitchen access

The council said it hoped the pods could be a "stepping stone" towards independent living for rough sleepers.

One man who previously "wasn't bothered" if he lived or died said the shelter pods have allowed him "to move on to recovery-based living".

Fred said the scheme's support services also helped him get clean and sober.