HOMELESSNESS in north Wiltshire has soared by 50 per cent this year, shocking new figures have revealed.

In the first six months of this year 343 families registered as homeless, 141 more than the previous year.

The 50 per cent increase has sparked fresh calls for more to be done to protect vulnerable families.

A joint operation between councils, the Salvation Army and housing bosses has been set up to confront the rising tide of homelessness.

Cllr Judy Rooke is campaigning for more affordable housing in north Wiltshire.

She said: "We are talking to Westlea Housing Association, North Wiltshire District Council and the Salvation Army.

"It's a very emotive issue. There has been a 50 per cent rise in homelessness in Chippenham over the past year. It's obviously a concern. You don't really see them here, it's not like in London.

"But homelessness doesn't always mean people sleeping in the streets trying to get a roof over their heads. Their landlords might have told them their contract is up or they may be a single mother living at home and there is no room for them.

"We don't really want to put people in bed and breakfasts. We are in negotiations to have a hostel but it is early days."

The figures compiled this year reveal 343 families registered themselves as homeless with North Wiltshire District Council between January and June 2004.

During the same period in 2003, 202 households were without shelter.

A spokesman for North Wiltshire District Council said it is now reviewing accommodation in light of the figures.

Work is being carried out to find temporary and move-on accommodation and an investigation is under way to find a suitable site for a hostel.

The spokesman said: "North Wiltshire District Council is committed to homelessness prevention and although the number of presentations to the council has increased in 2004 so also have the number of cases where homelessness has been prevented. This has been achieved through the work of the homelessness team and the partnership with the CAB. Other initiatives, such as the introduction of the new Rent Damage Deposit Scheme, have also helped to prevent families becoming homeless."

The rise in homelessness has not surprised Kandu Arts of Chippenham, who had an offer of help three years ago rejected.

The charity, backed by pop star Mel C, has set up successful homelessness projects in some of the most underprivileged areas of the country.

Co-ordinator Ed Deedigan said: "Put yourself now in the situation where you have nowhere to go tonight. Shelter is one of the most fundamental needs of human beings and to not have safe shelter for everyone is an absurdity."

Jon Smith, of Westlea Housing Association, said: "At Westlea we work to prevent homelessness among our own tenants and house those homeless applicants nominated to us by North Wiltshire District Council. As the largest social landlord in North Wiltshire, we are also continuing to work in partnership with the council to find ways to increase the supply of both permanent and temporary housing."