Shocking figures have revealed at least 260 young people across East Sussex were homeless last year.

In response to the dramatic rise in the number of people under the age of 18 living rough, one charity is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the problem and challenge people to help.

NCH child care charity negotiates with social services to help find safe havens for young and vulnerable people living on the streets.

The aim of the scheme, called Move On, is for the young person to become independent.

Now the charity is stepping up its crusade by urging residents in towns and villages across the region to offer help.

They will also be holding open days, with star speakers including television star Peter Ellis from The Bill who was personally shocked by the scale of last year's homeless tally.

16-year old Karen is one youngster who has been saved from the world of street sleeping.

Abandoned by her father, 16-year-old Karen, barricaded herself and younger sister in their council house.

Frightened and bewildered the girls hoped they could cope alone but were placed in care after bailiffs reclaimed their Uckfield home.

Then when Karen's foster placement broke down the teenager found herself sleeping rough.

She managed to find shelter at a friend's house but this turned sour after Karen allegedly assaulted her friend's father and was arrested and charged. She was then accused of assaulting her foster sister and a shopkeeper.

NCH then intervened and negotiated with Eastbourne Housing Department and Social Services to find a safe haven.

She was placed with a family but when her sister was found hiding in Karen's room after running away from her foster carers, she was ordered to move out for breaking the tenancy rules.

Even though it seemed like a backwards step, the move led to a reconciliation between the sisters and their estranged mother whom they lived with for a while.

Since being given her own flat in Uckfield, Karen has completed a college course and says this is the happiest she has ever felt.

The housing scheme, called Move On, offers youngsters the chance to rebuild their lives by giving them security and slowly encouraging them to become independent.

Volunteers who believe they can offer a fitting family environment to a young person who has been living rough or in foster care are thoroughly vetted before being given training and a series of home visits.

Only then are they matched to a young person who will be invited to stay with them for a trial period.

Mark Young and his wife Cherie worked as carers for twelve years before he became an approved lodging co-ordinator for the NCH in Hastings.

He said: "Our job is to recruit, assess, train and support volunteers. We are looking for people who can interact with young people and have a good understanding of the issues involved.

"We are looking for a family-type set up which gives support, especially emotional support. It's a transitional period between foster care and independence."

In Eastbourne alone, 98 people under the age of 18 were living rough, with a further 97 in Hastings, 18 in Lewes, 11 in the Wealden area and 38 in Rother.

But Mark Richardson, NCH project manager, said he feared many, many more were slipping through the net.

He added: "As these shocking figures show, and contrary to what many people think, East Sussex does have a serious youth homelessness problem. We have responsibility to look after our youth.

"This is happening in both rural and urban environments, and we believe many young people may be sleeping on a friend's sofa when they really need more security than that can offer.

"We are keen to recruit people with a spare room who can offer approved lodgings."

This month saw the launch of a £1.4 million Government initiative to fund schemes around the country helping homeless people get better access to benefits and to secure and safe accommodation. It will also fund detox facilities for drug addicts and alcoholics.

The campaign aims to reach Prime Minister Tony Blair's target of virtually eradicating the number of people sleeping on the streets by 2002.

Peter Ellis, formerly Chief Superintendent Brownlow in The Bill, will be speaking at the Eastbourne Centre on November 22. A second open day will take place in Brittany Road, St Leonards, on November 23.

For more information about the open days and providing approved lodgings contact the Eastbourne Youth Support Team on 01323 723250.