AN EXHIBITION showcasing more than 250 photos taken by homeless people in Manchester has gone on display.

The project has been launched by People of the Streets (POTS), a social enterprise powered by students from Nottingham University.

Director of POTS Alex Greenhalgh, from Bury, has brought the project to his home city to showcase the perspectives of Manchester's homeless community and disrupt public perceptions of homelessness.

Visitors to the micro-gallery in Manchester Arndale can expect to see snapshots of people's lives, taken by the city's homeless using disposable cameras.

A total of £10 from each print sold will go directly to support the individual photographer. Additional proceeds will be invested into the POTS enterprise to support future projects.

Mr Greenhalgh, aged 22, said: "We set up the project in 2017 in response to the rapid increase in homelessness across the UK.

"We really believe that ongoing public conversation is needed to help change perceptions, keep the issue at the front of people's minds, and encourage new ideas to help tackle the problem.

"The simple act of discussing the issue with a friend over coffee, and listening to a different perspective through the exhibition, can support this wider conversation and at the same time we hope to raise vital funds for the local photographers involved."

Directed by Mr Greenhalgh, the POTS team comprises six students and recent graduates from around the UK, and are supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

The team has worked closely with three charities, Barnabus, Lifeshare, and Big Issue North, over the past nine months to distribute disposable cameras to homeless people in the city, allowing them to capture photographs during their daily lives and offer them the opportunity to showcase Manchester through their eyes.

Shoppers to the Arndale centre between July 9-22 will be able to browse the collection of works, including enlarged copies of the top 10 photographs selected by the POTS team.

The Stories from the Streets exhibition was launched on Friday.

The photographs were seen in advance by a few special guests, including local curators and Olympic champions, including Sir Bradley Wiggins.

The British former professional road and track racing cyclist said: "Alex showed me a few of the photos over the weekend.

"There are some fantastic ones; it was so interesting to see Manchester from a different perspective."

The exhibition is located on the upper floor in Manchester Arndale, near New Look.

Prints can be purchased from £25, with £10 from each sale going directly to the photographer through POTS' three local charity partners.