Extreme weather can cause a lot of headaches for councils who have to deal with the extraordinary situations it can throw up.

As Britain basks in the current heatwave, which has seen temperatures reach record levels, some authorities have had to deploy gritters to stop roads melting.

On the other end of the spectrum, when winter nights are bitterly cold, councils have a responsibility to look after rough sleepers.

The hot weather is expected to last until after the weekend, and could soar to 30C, before temperatures will drop off, according to the BBC.

The heatwave could prove just as dangerous as freezing temperatures, according to experts trying to help end rough sleeping.

As well as being hungry, rough sleepers are at risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

With that in mind, despite not having a policy in place as many do for the winter, Bexley Council has offered advice for the hot weather.

A spokesman said: “Although we have no policy for hot weather rough sleeper provision, the Council supports people affected by homelessness in accordance with our legal duties, and we liaise with partners to signpost rough sleepers to receive help and support.

“Support and guidance can be found on our web based Housing Support Form https://www.bexley.gov.uk/index.php/services/housing/housing-support.

“For anyone rough sleeping, or worried about someone who may be rough sleeping there is a simple reporting tool that alerts street teams who following this referral will make contact with the reported rough sleeper and link them in to local services, charities and Local Council Homeless units.

“The London Borough of Bexley extends this service to all local and voluntary sector agencies such as Libraries, Citizens Advice Bureau and local churches with whom regular meetings are held to improve best practice response to rough sleeping in Bexley.”

Charity Evolve Housing and Support has encouraged the public to donate hats, suncream and water bottles to homeless shelters.