The number of people recorded as homeless in Cornwall has reached 845, a new report by Shelter reveals.

In what it says is the most extensive review of its kind, the housing charity combined official rough-sleeping, temporary accommodation and social services figures, which showed the number of homeless people in the South West has increased by 11% in a year.

In Cornwall, an estimated 99 people are sleeping rough and 746 are in temporary accommodation, meaning 845 people - or one in 655 of the population - are homeless.

Shelter has launched an urgent appeal, calling on the public to support its advisers as they work to help people to stay in their home or find a new one.

Chief executive Polly Neate said: ‘It’s shocking to think that today, thousands of people in the South West are waking up homeless. Some will have spent the night shivering on a cold pavement, others crammed into a dingy, hostel room with their children. And what is worse, many are simply unaccounted for.

‘On a daily basis, we speak to people and families who are desperately trying to escape the devastating trap of homelessness. A trap that is tightening thanks to decades of failure to build enough affordable homes and the impact of welfare cuts.

‘As this crisis continues to unfold, the work of our frontline advisers remains absolutely critical. We will do all we can to make sure no-one is left to fight homelessness on their own. But we cannot achieve this alone; we urgently need the public’s support to be there for everyone who needs us right now.’

To support Shelter’s urgent appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70080 to donate £3.