ROUGH sleepers in Taunton are doing their best to keep warm as heavy snowfall hits Somerset.

Craig Gibbs and John Harris, both 29, spent the morning sitting wrapped up in blankets outside Greggs in Taunton and sipping on hot chocolate to stay warm.

The Met Office has issued a red warning wind and snow for parts of Somerset – including a stretch of the M5 motorway between Taunton and Exeter - and amber warnings for wind and snow for other parts of the county. The red warning started at 3pm today and runs until 2am tomorrow and the amber warning kicked in at 2pm and runs until 8am tomorrow.

Craig said being on the streets is particularly hard as the Beast from the East sweeps across Somerset.

Craig claims the council has not offered them shelter and added: "Some people have gone into Premier Inn's and Travelodge's but not us, we're still waiting.

"Last night I slept in Vivary Park, it was really cold, I have moved around a lot over the last few weeks.

"I bought some clothes just before I became homeless but they aren't enough to keep me warm.

"People are being really nice to us giving us warm food and drink - there is nothing like a hot chocolate to keep you warm in this weather."

Craig said he hopes to find somewhere permanent to live as he has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and was told he only has eight months to live.

He said: "I want somewhere permanent to live that I can call home.

"I want to be warm and safe, I don't want to stay out here."

Taunton Deane Borough Council have called their Cold and Severe Weather Provision which means any rough sleepers in the area will be offered emergency accommodation.