The Somali family living on a Tooting High Street bench have continued to stay there through the pouring rain and cold weather.

Your Local Guardian:

The mother and son have centered their lives around the bench, outside TK Maxx, for six months.

Concerns were raised about the pair during the hot summer months but now the weather has changed they are using plastic sheeting to protect themselves from downpours.

In August, the Wandsworth Guardian approached the pair, with a lady fluent in both English and Somali, to try to talk to them. However, attempts to engage were rebuffed.

Your Local Guardian:

During the summer they sheltered from the sunshine under umbrellas 

A spokesman for the council said "We have repeatedly tried to engage with this mother and son to offer them help and a proper roof over their heads but these efforts have all been rebuffed.

"Unfortunately they are quite adamant that they do not want any help from us, nor from the other agencies who have also been trying very hard to support and assist them.

"We remain concerned for their welfare and will continue to closely monitor the situation and continue to offer support in the hope that they change their minds."