The plight of a 13-year-old boy has highlighted fears that young runaways are sleeping rough because of a social services loophole.

Under Brighton and Hove City Council's care guidelines, under-16s are deemed too young to be put into bed-and-breakfast accommodation.

Instead, the council relies on friends and relatives to take responsibility for children while social workers try to resolve disputes within families that do not place the youngsters in immediate danger.

But there are growing concerns many are sleeping on the streets.

The issue has been highlighted by a 13-year-old boy who ran away from his home because of "considerable problems".

Steven, not his real name, left home four weeks ago and has been sleeping rough or staying with friends.

Last week, he got into trouble with police after a break-in and criminal proceedings have started.

At the weekend, he arrived on a friend's doorstep.

The friend's mother said: "He arrived on Saturday morning and my son asked if he could stay. At first I didn't think anything of it. But when he came into the house he stank.

"I asked what he'd been doing and he said he'd been sleeping rough for two weeks, dossing on friends' floors.

"He said he didn't want to go home. People I have spoken to say there is a complete lack of provision for youngsters in this situation.

"He asked to go into a home or to stay with foster parents but was told there is no room. The nearest foster placement would be in Kent. I spoke to social services and they said if I didn't keep him, he'd have to find another friend's place to stay.

"They say he's too young to be placed in a bed-and-breakfast. It's absolutely ridiculous.

"If he starts getting into the habit of sleeping rough, it's the start of a downward spiral."

She contacted city councillor Mark Worgan about Steven.

Coun Worgan said: "This is a worrying case that highlights an issue I don't think has been fully understood.

"It's only when cases like this come to light that they expose possible holes in the current policy.

"We have to be grateful to those people who have taken him in and looked after him. As a council, we should be able to pick up the responsibility and be a safety net."

He said he was keeping in touch with social services to ensure the case was resolved.

A council spokesman said: "It's standard practice for us to negotiate with extended family and friends in a situation of this sort and we've not investigated the possibility of foster care.

"Our philosophy is that children should be enabled to live with their families whenever possible.

"We regard taking children into local authority care as a last resort when they are at risk of serious harm in their home environment.

"We are aware there have been considerable problems in the relationship between the boy and his parents. But his parents have told us they are very keen for him to return home."