A HOMELESS organisation has revealed that Blackburn is one of the only places in Lancashire to have a night shelter open over Christmas.

A survey carried out by Shelter Lancashire revealed Blackburn, Lancaster and Preston are the only locations to have the facility.

The charity says there is enough emergency food and accommodation in the county but is warning against complacency.

And it says there are plenty of towns supplying food several times over the Christmas season.

Jim Devereux, manager of Shelter Lancashire, said: "Christmas is a time when homelessness can increase, particularly for single people.

"While they may usually be able to stay temporarily with friends or family on a spare sofa, at Christmas time they may be asked to leave to make room for Christmas celebrations."

Shelter carried out a survey to help its specialist housing advisers to let people know where they can get access to emergency food and somewhere to stay at Christmas.

Although just three locations have night shelters open, organisations in Colne and Accrington are putting on food several times, and churches in Blackburn and Chorley are providing Christmas meals.

But Mr Devereux said that homelessness was still a problem in Lancashire.

He said: "The fact is that while organisations providing emergency support will make a positive difference in the short-term, there is still a long way to go in terms of alleviating long-term homelessness."

Anyone threatened with homelessness over Christmas can call Shelter Lancashire Housing Aid Centre on 01253 874324 or Shelterline, 24-hours-a-day on 0808 800 4444.