THE new High Sheriff of Essex has paid a visit to a homelessness charity’s new £2.3million 24-hour day and night centre.

Vincent Thompson, who is the Queen’s representative in the county, visited charity Harp’s Bradbury Centre, in York Road, Southend.

Mr Thompson was accompanied by Diana his wife, Andrew Clarke from Essex Community Foundation and town clerk Rob Tinlin, who arranged the meeting.

They toured the centre, which opened last year, meeting some of the service users receiving homelessness advice and guidance, as well as those engaged in one of the training sessions of the day.

He also visited the 18-bed onsite emergency hostel and spent time with some of the adults currently in residence.

Harp chief executive Gill Garwood said: “We were delighted to discuss and share our wide ranging support accommodation and homelessness day services with Mr Vincent.

“It is not easy trying to break the cycle of homelessness for those most vulnerable in the town.

“We have recently launched our end rough sleeping by 2018 campaign, which is both bold and reliant on the support, understanding and collaboration of our supporters, community groups and statutory and voluntary agencies to be more effective to get people off the streets.”