New laws will ease the strain for hundreds of homeless families across Sussex cooped up in bed and breakfast accommodation.

The Government yesterday announced legislation will be passed within months to stop local authorities placing families with children in this inadequate accommodation.

Studies have revealed children's health, welfare and education can suffer if they do not have a settled home.

From March 2004, councils will only be able to use B&Bs for homeless families with children in emergencies for a maximum stay of six weeks.

Councils insisted they were already working on meeting the targets.

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "We have 71 families in bed and breakfast accommodation.

"Our target is to not place any families in B&Bs except in emergencies from April. We have received £300,000 from central government to help us achieve that target."

Mid Sussex District Council confirmed 11 families with children were in B&B accommodation. In Worthing it was 12.

A spokeswoman for Lewes District Council said there were 14 households with children in B&Bs.

Richard Morris, a spokesman for Horsham District Council, said: "There are no families in B&B accommodation in the district at the moment. However, demand for housing far exceeds supply in the district."

Crawley Borough Council confirmed there were 49 families with children or expectant mothers in B&Bs in November.

Eastbourne Borough Council was unable to provide figures last night but council leader Beryl Healy said: "It has always been our intention in Eastbourne to keep the use of B&Bs for families with children to an absolute minimum."

A spokeswoman for Wealden District Council said: "We have nine placements with one moving out on Friday."

Louise Casey, head of the homelessness directorate, said: "It is important we ensure homeless families never have to live in squalid conditions."

Ben Jackson, Shelter's Director of External Affairs, said: "Today's announcement shows the Government is committed to tackling homelessness."