A DESPERATE mother told a public meeting on homelessness in Devizes that her son would have no choice but to return to a camp in the woods when he is released from prison next week.

Scores of people gathered in Devizes Town Hall on Tuesday to discuss issues raised by a decision to clear rough sleepers from Belvedere Wood near Quakers Walk.

Councillors, charity workers, police and rough sleepers themselves met to try and find a solution to how those who camp among the trees can be helped to find a better place to sleep.

The mother said her son could not return to her home for family reasons. She said: "He will come back to Devizes and go straight back to the camp as he has nowhere else to go. He wants to come to Devizes as that is where his family is."

She said he would be given £40 to live on but would have to wait weeks before he could receive benefits.

Another rough sleeper told how she had been living in the woods for years. She said: "I got in with the wrong people when I was young and fell out with my mum.

"Back then I probably didn't want to be helped but now all I want to do is to find somewhere to live. It isn't too bad in the summer but the winter is terrible."

The meeting chaired by John Saunders from St Andrew's Church with the help of Devizes Town Council posed a number of questions about why people found themselves living rough and what more could be done to help them. People sat in groups at tables and discussed the issues before sharing their thoughts.

Wiltshire councillor Anna Cuthbert said: "The compassion and care for people less fortunate than ourselves was quite overwhelming from the volunteers and residents who came out to lend their support and offer assistance. We should be very proud that we live in a community that wants to help people regardless of their background and circumstances.

"Several people who are currently sleeping out in the open were there too so we were able to hear first hand of some of the issues that led to them being homelessness. "

She said that Wiltshire councillor Jonathan Seed had visited the woods and was putting in place an advice service for the homeless. But she realised at the meeting that not all the rough sleepers had been aware of this and organised for housing officers to be at the council offices in Snuff Street yesterday (Wed) morning to help them.

At the meeting people blamed cuts and changes by Wiltshire Council and the Government which have led to fewer agencies being available to offer support and advice to people in a housing crisis.

Devizes rough sleepers are supported by the charity Opendoor which runs drop in sessions for food and washing but has no overnight accommodation.

Devizes Council is to lease Belvedere Woods from the Merchant Venturers to turn it into a beauty spot but wants to try and find a solution to the rough sleeping issue.

A working party is now to look at the ideas put forward at Tuesday's meeting and come up with a plan of action.