TEMPORARY homes are needed for homeless youngsters in Rossendale as part of a new project aimed at reducing the number of people sleeping rough.

Keith Willacy, a former Rossendale police sergeant, is hoping to find homeless youngsters somewhere to live.

Funding has come from a Home Office pot of cash, given to Lancashire County Council, to be spent by March.

Keith, who is co-ordinating Rossendale's youth housing and supported lodging group, is looking for 12 host families in the Valley to provide a room, breakfast and an evening meal for youngsters aged 16 to 25.

Host families will be paid, but all volunteers will be subject to checks by the county council.

Keith said: "We need to find a number of homes in Rossendale that will take on homeless young people on a temporary basis.

"We want people who can provide a home and support on an emergency or short term basis in a supported lodging scheme."

Keith is keen to get the project up and running. He added: "There is a similar scheme in Bolton and we feel Rossendale would benefit from this because there are very few alternatives at the moment."

A report carried out by national homeless organisation, Centrepoint, shows there is a need in Rossendale for something other than hostel-type accommodation.

Keith added: "It's been identified that up to 80 people are in unsuitable accommodation who will benefit from this scheme.

"We urgently need people to come forward and help out."

Anybody interested in taking part in the scheme can ring the county council's youth and community service team on 01706 225180.