TWO Minehead men are sleeping rough tomorrow night (Friday) on windswept wooden benches only yards from the sea to highlight the plight of the homeless and raise money for local charities.

Hairdressing salon owner Dan James and his friend Chris Jones are hoping to raise at least £5,000 from a sponsored sleep-out on benches outside Minehead lifeboat station – and are appealing for last-minute donations.

“People have been really generous and we have already been promised £4,800, but we don’t intend to give up until we have reached our target,” Dan said.

The weather forecast for tonight is 14F, dry and cloudy, with light winds, but Dan and Chris are not expecting a peaceful night.

“We are going to stick it out for 12 hours whatever the weather, but I can’t imagine we will get much sleep,” Dan said. “We want to get some idea of what it must be like to be homeless in winter and at the same time raise money for two very deserving causes.”

Donations will be shared between the RNLI and Minehead’s Hope Centre for the homeless and disadvantaged. To sponsor the sleep-out or for more information, go to www.justgiving.com/MR S E EVENTS.