BURNLEY Council's ways of tackling homelessness are set to be adopted across the North West after the authority was praised by the Government.

The council has been named as a regional champion in reducing homelessness after the number of households without accommodation fell by 36 per cent over the last three years.

Figures show there were 40 homeless families in the borough last year -- mostly living in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation until a suitable home can be found.

In Pendle there were 35 families and in Rossendale 38.

Because of the success the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wants Burnley Council to advise other local authorities on how they have gone about tackling the issue.

Coun Carole Galbraith, the Council's executive member for housing, said: "Burnley is delighted to be chosen as a regional champion for homelessness, and this is a reflection of the hard work and commitment that has been made in the last two years to reduce and prevent homelessness in the borough.

"We have seen a 36 per cent reduction over the last three years in the numbers of people accepted as homeless, which has been achieved by improving the frontline service offered to clients and providing additional services such as family mediation, home visits and advice and advocacy for private sector tenants.

"Over the next year we anticipate a further reduction in the levels of homelessness by launching a 'Sanctuary' project to help those suffering domestic violence remain in their own home, and developing our links with agencies working with offenders to reduce the levels of homelessness amongst those leaving prison."

Manchester City Council is the other North West authority to be made a regional champion.

The appointment of Burnley as a "champion" was revealed as the Government released new figures on homelessness for the final quarter of 2004.

The figures showed that the number of homeless families in the North West in fell slightly when compared with the same quarter in 2003.

A new homelessness strategy called 'Sustainable Communities: settled homes, changing lives', was also released today.

It pledges to increase spending on homelessness prevention and a target to halve the number of households living in temporary accommodation by 2010.