WORKERS at a homeless shelter have been putting the final touches to preparations for their night service which will open its doors today.

For the next 10 weeks, up to 15 rough sleepers will be able to seek shelter from bad weather and biting winds by staying overnight at the Maggs Day Centre in Deansway.

We reported how the shelter, known as the Worcester Night Assessment Centre (NAC), would be going ahead at Maggs as usual after Worcester city council appealed for a new venue.

There was concern that the Deansway centre was not suitable because men and women of all ages were sleeping together on a cold floor.

However, Maggs's acting manager Sue Leach said the centre now had airbeds and the lino floor would be replaced with carpet tiles.

The centre also has a new shower. Mrs Leach said: "We open on the first Monday after the new year.

"We are open from 9.30pm to 7am and people can reserve a place during the day by contacting Maggs Day Centre or the Rough Sleepers Project."

Mrs Leach said people could be given referrals by local agencies throughout the day.

However, any vacancies left in the evening will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

The shelter has run throughout January to March for the last three years because that is thought to be the coldest period of the year.

Mrs Leach said rough sleepers who contacted the centre direct might find spaces available because last year not all the capacity was filled.

She said: "There may well be spaces and once people stay for one night then they can automatically get carried forward for the next night."

The Maggs Day Centre can be contacted by calling 01905 25027.