EIGHTY children in the Basingstoke area face being homeless this Christmas, according to statistics from charity Shelter.

The worrying figure has been revealed in a report from the homeless charity, which shows that 135,000 children in Britain are homeless, living in temporary accommodation, which is the highest number in 12 years.

In Basingstoke, one in every 514 children living in the town are homeless, and face spending this Christmas in a bed and breakfast, hostel or other emergency accommodation.

The figure puts Basingstoke 45th worst in the South East, and 141st in the country, in front of places including Brighton and Hove, which was the worst, and Milton Keynes.

Shelter has exposed for the first time the frequency with which children are becoming homeless in its Generation Homeless report, which reveals a child loses their home every eight minutes – the equivalent to 20 children a day in the South East.

It also exposes the conditions for families with children living in emergency B&Bs and hostels, who are often squashed into one room with little space to cook, play or eat their meals; forced to share bathrooms with strangers; and often located miles away from schools, jobs and loved ones.

The charity is calling on every political party to put housing at the top of its domestic agenda, as its report shows in the South East there has been a 95 per cent rise in the number of children without a home in the last five years.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The fact 20 children in the South East becomes homeless every day is a scandalous figure, and sharp reminder that political promises about tackling homelessness must be turned into real action.

“Day in, day out we see the devastating impact the housing emergency is having on children across the region. Many are being uprooted from their friends, while others are forced to live in cramped B&Bs and go to bed at night scared by the sound of strangers outside.

“Every child has the right to a safe home and if we act now, our frontline advisers can support more homeless families in the South East to get to a better place. Every donation will help Shelter to be there for everyone who needs us this Christmas.”

To donate to Shelter’s urgent Christmas appeal, visit shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70030 to donate £3.