Homeless shocker

The revelation comes as it was revealed that the problem of people sleeping rough on the streets of East Lancashire was refusing to go away.

Between 20 and 30 homeless youngsters use the Nightsafe centre on Pilkington Street every day.

But they could all be back on the streets when a six-year block of funding from the government's neighbourhood support fund runs out in March.

The work done by charities like Nightsafe is keeping hundreds of people off the streets at night.

In Blackburn with Darwen Council there are between just none and five people sleeping rough in the area on any given day.

But while the problem appears to be under control in some parts of East Lancashire the same cannot be said for the whole of the county.

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

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

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

And it seems the same in Nelson with the Safe Space charity full and 10 people on their waiting list, sleeping rough on the streets.

Nightsafe housing manager Linda Sharratt said: "We are constantly looking for our next piece of funding. It's a continual battle and there will come a time when funding will run out and it will become a big problem."

"It would obviously have an impact on the day centre and that would have a serious knock-on effect for the vulnerable youngsters who use it.

"And there's the crime reduction factor. We occupy their time during the day but if they've nowhere to go then there's more chance they'll get into trouble."

The Fusebox day centre offers homeless people the chance to get a meal, wash their clothes and have a shower as well as receiving help and advice from groups like Lifeline, a drugs agency, or the Brook Advisory Service on sexual health.

Launched 15 years ago, the Nightsafe charity also runs a homeless shelter in Blackburn, a housing project in Witton and 16 self-contained flats in Darwen to provide nightime accommodation.

It estaimtes that it helps around 500 people a year who would otherwise be sleeping rough, keeping them safe and helping them regain their confidence and independence.

Almost £450,000 is needed each year to run the services, mostly made up of government grants, funding from Blackburn with Darwen Council, housing benefit, Comic Relief, Children in Need, the National Lottery and donations from schools and churches.

Darwen MP Janet Anderson said today she was "very concerned" by the funding gap.

She said: "I will be working with the council, the government, local and national charities to do all I can to find extra cash to keep this valuable service going."

Blackburn with Darwen Council housing needs manager Steve Richards said: "In the six years I've been here we've never had a problem with rough sleepers. We've got a lot of hostel space which is quite good and we do a lot of work with them."

Rachel Stott, housing strategy officer for Ribble Valley Council, said: "We don't have a problem with rough sleeping, it's quite rare here.

"People without a home usually stay in one of the two hostels in Clitheroe or Longridge."

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "I am happy to talk to Nightsafe. I have got a great deal of admiration for what they do. A lot of government funding is time limited but I shall see if I can help to make up the shortfall."