TOWN hall bosses have defended Bolton's record on helping the homeless, in the face of a critical regional report.

Research conducted on behalf of the charity Shelter published today claims scores of North-west people face the misery of a life on the streets due to a lack of affordable housing.

The report claims that insufficient government investment in housing has resulted in 700,000 dilapidated homes.

Sally Bridgen, manager of Shelter North West, said: "Every day in our advice centre we see the suffering caused by the lack of decent affordable homes in the North-west.

"Although our region has some areas with empty properties these are usually on estates with enormous social and structural problems which many people simply cannot live in. We also have the highest levels of unfit properties in the country."

The charity says that £1.4 billion a year is needed if the shortfall in investment is to be redressed.

But Bolton Council chiefs say much is being done to help the homeless in the borough, with council leader Bob Howarth claiming Bolton housing authority is one of the most respected in the region. Cllr Howarth added: "On top of help offered to homeless people the northern boroughs have also been taking refugees from Kosovo and asylum seekers.

"It's easy for Shelter to talk but quite frankly North-west authorities have been doing their best for homeless people."

And Linda Thomas, former vice chairman of what was the council's housing committee, highlighted the work of Base, a charity based in St George's Road, which offers accommodation and support to up to 45 homeless youngsters.

She added: "There is a very wide ranging group of agencies that all work together in the town to provide help for homeless people.

"To be honest the support is so good that there's no reason why anybody should be homeless on the streets of Bolton."