A group of fire cadets from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will be sleeping out to raise awareness of homelessness.

The cadets will spend 12 hours between 7pm on Friday December 6 and 7am on Saturday December 7 in the drill yard of Swindon fire station.

They will be tasked to find a spot in the yard that protects them from the elements as much as possible as well as keeping them safe. Their instructors will be with them.

The Big Sleep Out is the cadets' chosen social action project and they will be fundraising for Threshold Housing Link.

Youth intervention coordinator Nicky Parker said: "Winter is the most challenging time for those sleeping rough on our streets.

"The cadets were asked to nominate a cause for their project, and they all felt very strongly that they wanted to do something around homelessness.

"While sleeping in the drill yard in no way represents what those living on the streets have to go through, it will give the cadets a greater understanding."