A HOMELESS shelter in Nelson is being forced to turn youngsters away.

The news came as it was revealed the problem of people sleeping rough in East Lancashire was refusing to go away.

Safe Space offers temporary accommodation for four men and four women. But in the run-up to Christmas they are already full -- and have 10 people on a waiting list.

Project manager Erica Bilsborough said today she was expecting the situation to get worse.

"We're actually turning people away now," she said. "We're always full. At the moment there's nobody wanting to move out and after the New Year we're expecting another big influx."

Incredibly, neighbouring Burnley said today people sleeping rough wasn't a problem in the borough.

A council spokesman said: "Burnley doesn't have a significant problem with long-term street homelessness. Over the years we haven't registered anyone sleeping rough.

"The reasons why we have seen a significant improvement is the focus on proactive rather than reactive approaches to solving the problem.

"One of these schemes is the Elizabeth Street project, which provides short-term accommodation and support for up to 20 families to help them find suitable and permanent places to live."

A similarly varying picture is painted in other parts of East Lancashire.

Dorothy McGregor, from the Maundy Grange charity shelter in Accrington, which has been open for five years, described the problem in Hyndburn as "dire".

"There's a terrible problem. It's been in existence for 10 years but it is only just now being recognised," she said.

"All we do is look after them during the day. We give them flasks, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, socks and hot water bottles."

And the future of a day centre in Blackburn, which caters for 30 young people, is clouded in uncertainty because of a £40,000 funding gap that desperately needs filling by March next year.

Neither Rossendale Council or Pendle Council reported any significant problems in their areas, while Rachel Stott, housing strategy officer for Ribble Valley Council, said: "We don't have a problem with rough sleeping. It's quite rare here."