CHIEF executives swapped the boardroom for the cold streets as they slept rough to raise awareness of increasing youth homelessness, and to raise money for charity.

Thirteen of Britain's top business leaders spent the night outside in sleeping bags in Paternoster Square, in front of the London Stock Exchange as part of the first ever 'CEO Sleepout' for Action for Children.

Sir Tony Hawkhead, chief executive of the charity, who started his new job only four days ago, was joined by 12 other chief executives, including ITN's John Hardie, Dell's Tim Griffin, and Barclaycard Europe's David Chan, as well as Mike Tobin OBE, founder of the event and head of TelecityGroup.

Their challenge was to raise a total of at least £130,000 to help vulnerable young people. The charity tweeted that "over £100,000" had been raised.