SocialBite co-founder Josh Littlejohn has said this weekend’s global sleep out event will be his last as he turns his attention to further local charity work.

More than 50,000 people across 52 countries are expected to participate in the event, which began with fewer than 300 people in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square four years ago.

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The World’s Big Sleep Out will see cities including New York shut down large public areas so participants can raise funds for around 100 charities.

But Littlejohn, who has participated in every edition of the event, says this year’s will be his last as he wants to focus on work in his home city.

The sleep-outs have previously helped fund 831 flats across Scotland for the homeless as well as the Social Bite Village in north Edinburgh.

He told BBC Scotland: "I'm here for the New York sleep out. Times Square is being closed and my family are all sleeping out too.

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"It is beyond my wildest dreams that this could ever happen and so I want to end on a high.

He added: "Next year I will continue with my local charity work."