A SHOCKING 726 homeless people died across England and Wales in 2018.

The buses operated by Faresaver are displaying the message in Chippenham town centre.

This comes as part of Wiltshire-based charity Alabaré’s Christmas campaign as they look to reduce the number of people affected by the devastation of homelessness this Winter.

The figures gathered by the Office for National Statistics showed a rise of 22 percent from 2017 and was the biggest increase since the data was first collected in 2013. Whilst there has been a reduction in people sleeping rough in Wiltshire, 22 people in the county are still facing this prospect.

Andrew Lord, Alabaré’s chief executive said: “These figures are simply shocking and prove how much more needs to be done in order to prevent homelessness and the tragic consequences."

"Working alongside Wiltshire Council and their Rough Sleepers Initiative, it is encouraging to see that there is commitment to reducing the number of people affected. However simply put, one person living in crisis on our streets is one too many so there remains plenty of work to be done."

Alabaré provide a total of 30 bed spaces across Chippenham and Trowbridge to those who are either homeless or at risk of becoming. Rough sleepers are also able to access support through their drop-in facility which is open three days a week at their Unity House service in Chippenham.