A group of more than a dozen young people slept rough for a night in Clacton to experience what it is like to be homeless.

The youngsters, aged from 12 to 18, are all members of Tendring Youth Assembly (TYA) and raised £278 through sponsorship to provide food parcels for those in need.

They took to their sleeping bags in September last year and spent from 5pm to 9am outside in the compound at Green Lodge Youth Centre in the town.

Lizzi Thompson said: "It was really cold and uncomfortable and it would have been so much worse if we had been on our own and not in a group."

Even though Tendring has very few people sleeping on the streets the youngsters felt it is important to discover what it would be like to do so.

The TYA is sponsored and co-ordinated by Tendring District Council (TDC) and supported by Essex County Council youth workers.

Tracy Cooke, Co-ordinator at the Salvation Army Community Centre, said that they currently hand out around 50 food parcels a week to all sorts of people who require practical assistance, not just the homeless.

Anyone wanting further information about the TYA or wanting to join should contact Gill Burden by emailing gburden@tendringdc.gov.uk

23/1/12