THE boss of a major tourist attraction took part in an event to help raise funds and awareness to tackle homelessness.

Clive Knowles, chairman of the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry, took part in an event where CEOs and business owners were invited to sleep rough at Shrewsbury Town FC.

The event was in support of The Shrewsbury Ark homeless day centre and held by the football club's community organisation.

A spokesman for the British Ironwork Centre said: "Equipped with only a sleeping bag and armed with the intention of making a difference, Clive spent a long, hard night outside alongside the CEO of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, Richard Sheehan, and other willing community members.

" This event was created to shine a light upon this extreme issue whilst creating a newfound community amidst the elements of the outdoors.

"While the participants of this initiative only had to face the elements on one summer’s night, out of 365 nights a year, many people across Shropshire and the UK don’t have this kind of luxury. In fact, according to the Ministry of Housing, there are roughly 4,751 rough sleepers in the UK with over 20 being in Shropshire, and the number is only rising.

"With more and more people being forced to face the streets, this issue is becoming more than just an epidemic. It’s critical that we, as a community, support the efforts of organisations like the Shrewsbury Ark that put so much of their time into alleviating the pressure put on those living out on the streets.