ZERO!

But social service chiefs say it is not time to become complacent. The figure, which was arrived at during a one-night head count of the number of rough sleepers on the town's streets in May this year, has led to an increase in funding from the Government to help with the town's homeless projects.

Streetlife, which operates an emergency shelter on Church Street, was praised by MP Dr Mo Mowlam in The Citizen when she visited the town in June.

"We are very happy to be receiving more money to help consolidate the work we are already doing," said Susan Walsh, principal advisor for housing and social services at Blackpool Borough Council. "We're happy, but not too happy -- it is not time to get complacent," she added.

"Now we can focus more on preventing tomorrow's rough sleepers.

"Looking at those groups who are vulnerable -- people leaving care, people leaving prison, people leaving the services -- and equipping them with life skills."

Steve Pullen, director of social services, says the figure of zero does not represent the real number of people sleeping rough, but is a snapshot of an underlying trend.

"Blackpool has a history of homelessness," he said. "We're not saying that this figure means there is never anyone sleeping rough, but it is evidence that conditions are improving. Government is trying to reward good practice and the increase in funding reflects that, so we feel we are moving in the right direction."