A new project offering job opportunities to the homeless will be launched in Oxford.

Aspire will be launched in the city by Louise Casey, head of the Government's Rough Sleepers Unit, and East Oxford MP Andrew Smith, right, at the town hall on Thursday next week. The initiative aims to be a first step for homeless people in coming back into the community.

Oxford has the highest number of rough sleepers of any city in the UK outside London. A Government survey in June revealed there were 24.

Charity workers say homeless people are attracted to Oxford because the city provides good opportunities for shelter, food and a chance to get back on their feet.

The population of the city is 147,500 but has 48 per cent more rough sleepers than Manchester, which has a population of 431,000, and 26 per cent more homeless people than Birmingham, which has a population of 1,013,200.

Aspire provides a full-time job on a contract with a fixed wage, and offers those living on the streets a chance to break the 'no home, no job' cycle.

Aspire's first project in Oxford will be a catalogue service, with homeless people delivering across the city and then calling back to collect orders. Furniture repairs and bicycle services are other planned business ventures.

An Aspire spokesman said: "We have a social purpose but we operate as a business in a very competitive market.

"Because we are part of a group, we can offer good quality goods at competitive prices, and also we aim to give a fast and efficient service to our customers.

"In the end, those who buy and those who work will benefit."