WITH one of the highest homeless populations outside the capital, Bournemouth has been included in a national scheme aiming to give extra help to rough sleepers this winter.

In the run-up to Christmas the charities Shelter and Crisis have linked up to provide hostel accommodation in the town for those sleeping on the streets.

They are also offering support to help the homeless get back on their feet; giving advice on drug abuse, mental health services, resettlement support, healthcare and benefits.

It is the second consecutive year that Bournemouth has been included in the Millennium Plus scheme, which provides accommodation and multi-agency support for the most vulnerable people on the streets.

"In seaside areas we do find that there's an above-average number of people on the streets," said Loraine Sweeney, of Shelter.

"People go to seaside towns hoping to get seasonal employment, and also because there is a higher number of bed and breakfast accommodation available."

She said the winter watch scheme helped many street sleepers to find accommodation last year, adding: "We try to go to places where there is a high level of homelessness and there has not been a lot of established provision."

Chris Holmes, director of Shelter, said: "Providing emergency shelter is vital as temperatures drop, but we want to go further by working with partner organisations to provide comprehensive packages of support and care.

"These are tailored to each individual's needs with the aim of moving people off the streets and in to settled accommodation for good."

In a separate initiative Michael's Night Shelter and Bournemouth Churches Housing Association have started a winter programme providing a mobile breakfast kitchen at weekends for rough sleepers.

A four-day-a-week indoor soup kitchen is also being provided.

Michael's chairman John Coulston estimates there are around 40 people sleeping rough in Bournemouth, with many more homeless in squats, abandoned cars or sleeping on friends' floors.

He said: "The town's homeless problem is as bad as it has always been."