A SEVERE Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated ahead of falling temperatures this weekend.

BCP Council said the alert has been launched as temperatures are expected to fall below zero for the next few nights.

It comes as the Met Office issued weather alerts for snow and ice for Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the rest of the county.

A cold weather alert has also been issued by the Met Office with a 60 per cent chance of freezing conditions over the next few days.

Temperatures are expected to feel like 1C during the daytime on Saturday and Sunday. 

In a Facebook post, BCP Council said: “We are expecting temperatures to fall below zero over the next few nights and our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated and together with our St Mungo’s outreach team we will be supporting people who are sleeping rough to come inside.”

The protocol means that anyone sleeping rough will be able to access emergency shelter.

People concerned about someone sleeping rough can contact the outreach team on 01202 315962 or by emailing B&Pstreetoutreach@mungos.org.

If someone is in immediate danger, people should call 999.