BOLTON Council is working towards getting on board with Andy Burnham's pledge to provide homeless accommodation for rough sleepers across Greater Manchester all winter.

On Thursday, the Mayor of Greater Manchester announced that every night from then, accommodation would be opened in all 10 boroughs to provide 260 beds to address homelessness.

He said: “Over the next few months we will pull together to help end the need for rough sleeping in Greater Manchester, starting now with the launch of A Bed Every Night."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said they would get on board by bringing forward the programme of help for rough sleepers that they roll out when the temperature drops sharply on winter's nights.

She said the 15 people who were known to sleep rough on the streets of Bolton would be offered Bed and Breakfast and hostel accommodation.

In neighbouring Bury, it was announced on Thursday that dedicated accommodation for the homeless would be opened at the Freedom Church, in Walmersley Road as part of Mr Burnham's project.

Cllr Nick Peel said: “We have already carried out a lot of work with our voluntary sector partners to tackle homelessness in Bolton. As part of this campaign we will be working closely with our partners to develop additional provision over winter."

Mr Burnham called on the public to back the campaign by giving money. He said: "We need public support – please consider donating to the campaign rather than giving on the street. By donating you can be sure your money will go towards work that will really make a difference – your money will not fall into the wrong hands."

Cllr Peel said: “We know, from all the work we do on the streets, that there is an average of 15 rough sleepers on any one night. Sometimes people get rough sleepers mixed up with beggars who are not necessarily homeless. Some individuals have complex needs and refuse assistance but we will continue to try and engage with them and offer help.”