I WAS delighted to support Silentnight Beds as they revealed the results of a poll which voted me the person whom British women would like to snuggle up to on the longest night of the year!

However, I am also keen, along with Silentnight and Shelter, to draw the attention to the fact that there are many homeless people particularly children who did not have the luxury of a bed during the festive season.

Indeed, it's shocking that, in the 21st century, there were a record 127,992 children in Britain waking up homeless on Christmas day.

Living in temporary accommodation robs children of security, health and a fair chance in life. The government has said that building more social rented housing is a priority. For these children it can't come soon enough.

Shelter is calling on the government to commit to building an extra 20,000 social rented homes a year to help lift thousands of children out of homelessness and bad housing.

I would urge readers to consider this issue and, like Silentnight Beds, support Shelter in its aims.

For further information on Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk or telephone 0845 458 4590.

DARREN GOUGH, Cricketer.