There are more homeless people living in temporary accommodation in Sussex than ever before, it was revealed today.

High house prices have led to an increase of 11 per cent in families housed in temporary accommodation during the last year, it is claimed.

Chris Holmes, director of charity Shelter, said: "The increase is extremely worrying and shows just how critical the housing shortage is.

"Households on low incomes are the innocent victims of the housing boom. As rents continue to soar, thousands of households are becoming homeless."

The average house in Brighton and Hove now costs more than £125,000, with commuting Londoners moving to the Sussex coast.

Nationally the homeless figure stands at 66,030. The Government also calculates the number of homeless households living in bed and breakfast hostels is now 8,380.

Mr Holmes said: "Massive investment in decent affordable housing is needed now. The Government has made a good start in this area but more needs to be done."

Shelter said that while house prices were beginning to level out, soaring rents showed no signs of falling.