PRIVATE landlords are urgently needed to help homeless people get a house.

Bury Council is offering, through the Bury Bond Scheme, up to £250 in place of the cash deposit normally required.

The scheme has helped 60 people into homes in the last two years, some of whom are unemployed or on low wages which makes it difficult for them to save a deposit.

Kevin Smith, Bury Bond Scheme access and support worker, said: "Demand for homes is outstripping supply and we are urgently seeking more landlords to help us tackle homelessness and benefit from the security of a guaranteed bond and ongoing support from us to help their tenant maintain their tenancy."

Landlords can contact scheme staff on 0161 761 6166, or email burysupport@thebondboard.org.uk. Its offices are at 19 Knowsley Street, Bury, above Bury Law Centre.

Councillor Steve Perkins, executive member for regeneration and housing, said: "We support the bond scheme as one of the ways we can cut homelessness across the borough. Its work is vital in getting people onto the rented housing ladder and hopefully some more landlords will come forward to check out how the scheme could work for them."