Chesterfield barbers' shop is a cut above the rest

Less Than Zero on Sheffield Road set up a stand in the town centre and offered free haircuts, beard trims and goody bags for those who don’t have a place to call home.

Martin Keyworth, founder of Less Than Zero, said: "We just wanted to do something which would help the community and offer our services free of charge to at least one person in need.

"In the two hours, we were thrilled to have helped 12 people which was beyond our expectations - though it does demonstrate the extent of the homelessness issue in Chesterfield."

Mr Keyworth - who is passionate about helping others - thanked everyone who supported the event, including Less Than Zero customers who donated clothes and money to buy items.

He added: "This event was just part of an ongoing strategy to help people in need in our area and we are really pleased it was received so well by other members of the public too.

"In October it's World Homeless Awareness Day and we are already planning to run another similar event then."

According to the latest available figures from the Government, there are 71 rough sleepers across Derbyshire.

Twelve of them are in Chesterfield.

The statistics show rough sleeping increased in the county by 317 per cent between 2010 and 2017.