Brighton has one of the biggest homelessness problems outside of London with more than double the number of people sleeping rough than some areas of the capital.

New data from homelessness charity Shelter found that the city had the third highest rate of people living on the streets or in temporary accommodation when compared to other regions.

The data also shows that Brighton has more people sleeping on the street on any given night than anywhere other than Manchester and Westminster.

Brighton was found to have 3,538 people who were living in temporary accommodation provided by the council, including over 1,300 children.

Similarly, Shelter found that on any given night around 37 people would be sleeping on the streets, a figure that was more than double every London borough studied other than Westminster and Ealing.

The statistics also show that one out of every 78 people in the city is homeless.

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The issue comes as part of national data which shows that at least 271,000 people are homeless across the UK, almost half of whom are children.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The new year should be a time of hope, but this isn’t the case for the 271,000 homeless people who are facing a truly bleak 2023. A cold doorway or a grotty hostel room is not a home, but this is reality for too many people today.

“Our frontline advisers are working tirelessly to help people who are desperate to escape homelessness - from the parents doing all they can to provide some shred of a normal family life while stuck in an emergency B&B, to the person terrified of another night sleeping rough.”

Data also found that Hastings ranked as the fifth highest proportion of homeless people outside of London with one in 107 people living in temporary accommodation or on the streets.

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Gill Williams, chairwoman of the housing committee, said: "Reducing homelessness is a key priority for this council.

“We believe everyone deserves a home and we are reviewing our services to ensure we can offer the best possible help to those in need.

“However, to deliver that help effectively, the Government must invest to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes.

“If you are threatened with homelessness, please contact our housing team to get advice as soon as possible."

A council spokesman added that anyone at risk of homelessness can fill in an online housing advice form or phone 01273 294 400 followed by Option 1.

Anyone under the age of 26 can receive support from YMCA Downslink by emailing yacbrightonhousingadvice@ymcadlg.org or phone 01273 624 432.