A homeless man who pitched near Nottinghamshire County Council's County Hall headquarters said he lost three stones as he endured freezing temperatures in his tent with 'ice falling off the top'. James Scott, 45, said he became homeless when he was evicted from his home in Sneinton in May last year.
He lived on a boat on River Trent - but he was forced to move out when his friend sold the boat to someone else. Mr Scott pitched his tent next to County Hall, on the south bank of River Trent, with his brother and dog over a month now.
The man said he does not know what the future holds for him after he lost all his possessions. "My mother passed away and I do not even have a photo of her," he added.
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He was sat down next to his blue tent, talking to a friend who also sleeps in a car. Mr Scott, who used to build stages at festivals, said he had now 'lost everything I have ever had'.
He added: "I have lost all my sentimental possessions - and everything else really. I felt my world disappearing around me bit by bit."
Mr Scott also spent the coldest night of the year in his tent. Nottinghamshire recorded its coldest night of the year on December 14 when temperatures dropped to -7.8C .
"I lost three stones and I do not know what it is going to happen to me. When the temperatures dropped, ice was falling off the top," he added.
"I have been left with nothing. And now, I do not know what is going to happen."
He said he reached out to find housing - but finding accommodation that would also accept his dog proved to be a difficult mission for Mr Scott. He described his dog as 'my best friend'.
"I cannot just leave him behind," he added. "He is a constant in my life, he is a man's best friend."
Hannah Burnham was walking in the area and said: "I think it is obviously a hard time for everyone, especially the homeless people. It is not something that would bother me because they do not have another option."
The 18-year-old said: "I know there are many dog walkers in the area. I don't think people complain about it because no one would want to be in this situation. It is really sad."
Sam White, another walker in the area, said he is also 'not bothered' by the presence of the tent. "I do not think that people should complain about it. It is a sad situation."
Homeless prevention charity Framework and Rushcliffe Borough Council said they are exploring various housing options for Mr Scott. A Rushcliffe council spokesperson said: "We continue to work with the specialist street outreach team to assist rough sleepers in the Nottinghamshire area to secure safe and alternative accommodation with support. Local outreach workers are aware of the presence of rough sleepers in the County Hall area and are exploring various housing options."
A spokesperson for Framework's county outreach team said: "Members of the county outreach team working in Rushcliffe have visited James on their early morning patrols and he has our hotline number - 0800 066 5356. The team is here to help and he, and anyone else who is sleeping rough, can make contact as and when they want help, or just to let us know they are sleeping rough.
"The number can also be used by any concerned member of the public to inform us about someone sleeping rough so we can check on them. We will continue to visit Jim and offer support and are working with both Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottingham City Council on this case."
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