A CEO of a company will be swapping the warmth of his home in Bolton for a night on the streets to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and raise money to tackle the growing problem.

Jack Barmby, the founder and CEO of Gnatta, will be joining other top executives to brave the cold to sleep rough on Monday at Lancashire Country Cricket Club Emirates Old Trafford.

The event has been organised by CEO Sleepout, a charity to set up to fight homelessness and poverty in the UK including the North West. The charity is supported by local executives who sleep outdoors for one night, raising sponsorship from their business contacts and friends.

Mr Barmby, aged 25, who lives in Bolton, said: "CEO Sleepout is going to be incredibly tough. Sleeping rough in Manchester will really drive home the reality that people face on a daily basis. As someone fortunate enough to have a steady income, it's important that I help raise awareness of a key problem in our area.

"I hope I can help in my own, small way."

Mr Barmby said homelessness is a growing problem and wants to give back as well as raising awareness.

He hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the homeless with the support of his colleagues, family, friends and the local community.

He founded the Bury-based business at the age of 21 while studying at university.

Gnatta provides a software platform which allows multi-channel communication by webchat, social media, and the business counts ASOS and other top firms amongst it customers.

Mr Barmby is also the CEO and founder FM Outsource, an award-winning, digital customer service, outsourcing solution.

Mr Barmby employs 300 people.

To support him visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-barmby.