UP to a thousand homeless people across Greater Manchester will be put up in hotels to try and stop more people getting coronavirus.

A £5 million funding plan announced by city mayor Andy Burnham will help those most at risk of developing and spreading the disease – rough sleepers and people in shared accommodation.

Currently, 625 rooms have already been allocated in hotels across the city-region, with the combined authority hoping to secure a further 375 by this Friday.

Food, sanitary products and dental supplies will also be provided, with mobile phones allowing those staying to contact support workers and access "extra emotional support".

Speaking at a mayoral briefing on coronavirus, Mr Burnham said the single rooms would be made available for people showing COVID-19 symptoms or needing to self-isolate.

“We have identified 720 people in shared accommodation and 280 people sleeping rough on the streets who will need our support,” he said.

“They have been identified as the highest risk group with regard to coronavirus infection, but also contributing to wider spread

“It’s absolutely crucial from a humanitarian point of view that urgent action was taken to put in place proper support for them.”

The plan agreed between Mr Burnham and the 10 council leaders in Greater Manchester will use funding that had been set aside for other uses.

It is being supported by the NHS and the Greater Manchester Homelessness Action Network, which brings together people and groups working in the public and voluntary sectors.

Mr Burnham added: “This is very much a Greater Manchester effort, we’re doing what we can ourselves to respond in the best possible way.

“Because of this funding we can say we will be able to house all people who are sleeping rough or in shared accommodation.

“They can move soon to single room provision which we think is the right response to the situation we find ourselves in.”