PEOPLE can find out what it feels like to sleep rough and raise money for a Worcester homeless charity.

The Big Sleep-Out, held overnight on Saturday, June 23, will see volunteers spending a night on College Green, beside Worcester Cathedral.

The event is being organised by St Paul's Hostel for the Homeless, near Shrub Hill station in Tallow Hill.

As well as letting people find out what it feels like not to have a roof over their heads, it is designed to be fun, with a snack supper and breakfast, a live jazz band playing until 10pm and a draw to win camping kit.

There will also be a toilet and washing facilities.

A national biscuit maker has donated 150 large cardboard boxes for people to sleep in.

St Paul's fund-raiser Mike Field, who is helping organise the event, said he hoped it would be a popular evening.

"We want to encourage as many people as we can to use the boxes and make this a very special event for everyone who takes part," he said.

Tents can be used, but as College Green is an historical site, pegs are not allowed.

As well as being fun, there is a serious side to the event. St Paul's, which has room for 40 men and six women, has to turn away on average five homeless people a week because they don't have room for them.

Mr Field said: "We are desperate to expand our accommodation. This is all part of our fund-raising, and we will need about £400,000.

"The event is to give people who take part quite a comfortable night of what sleeping rough involves, but they know that the next night they can get back into their own bed. It's about getting people to understand a bit better the plight of the homeless."

Details and sponsorship forms are available from the newsagents in Fish Street, Worcester's Tourist Information Centre and from Lisa at St Paul's Hostel on 01905 723732, or by e-mailing stpaulshostel@yahoo.co.uk Participants are asked to raise at least £15 in sponsorship to bring to the event.