More than 2,300 young people in Sussex run away from home every year. James Slack reports on what the Government is doing to help.

The Government has announced measures to help troubled young people solve their problems before they reach crisis point and decide to run away.

Ministers also want to give youngsters somewhere safe to stay if they do run.

The package includes better access to foster care placements and other emergency accommodation and improved information for teachers.

Ministers have also guaranteed the most vulnerable young runaways will be offered follow-up support and advice.

According to the Children's Society, up to 1,027 under-16s in East Sussex - out of a total 7,189 youngsters - run away every year.

In West Sussex the figure is 1,128 out of 7,894 and in Brighton and Hove 195 from 1,368.

The figure is calculated from a survey of more than 13,000 young people across the UK, carried out by the society.

Nationwide, there are 77,000 runaways every year.

The revelations surfaced after a charity in Brighton dealing with young people announced a huge rise in homelessness.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary, based in Dyke Road, had 2,254 visits during the past year compared with 1,700 in the previous year.

Eileen O'Leary, project manager, said housing the runaways was a particular problem in Brighton.

In the sanctuary's annual report she said: "Teenagers running away are now accepting relocation is sometimes worth a try as accommodation in Brighton remains difficult.

"The sanctuary is evolving into a homely, popular and lively place for the homeless young people."

Chairman Sean Gibson said there were many reasons why youngsters became homeless.

He said: "There are increased pressures on young people to achieve.

"Local rates of pay can be very low and the rents are high. This is distorted by our proximity to London.

"It is more difficult to access or qualify for housing benefit."

He said many youngsters had experienced disruptive childhoods and were ill-prepared for adult life.

With few qualifications they lacked any direction and self-worth.

Barbara Roche, minister for social exclusion, said: "A quarter of these are children under the age of 11 who will be cold, hungry and scared.

"Runaways often put themselves in extremely dangerous situations, sometimes getting involved in drugs, prostitution, begging and crime.

"For some of these young people, running away can be the trigger for a lifetime of social exclusion.

"That's why the practical steps outlined in this report are so crucial."

The measures have been outlined in a report by the Government's Social Exclusion Unit, entitled Young Runaways.

It found runaways were five times more likely than other children to have problems with drugs and seven times more likely to have been physically abused.

The report was welcomed by charity Barnardo's, which specialises in helping youngsters targeted by prostitution and drugs.

Pam Hibbert, principal policy officer, said: "Homeless young people are particularly vulnerable to drugs and prostitution.

"So the recommendations are good news.

"My concern is that they are due to be implemented in 2004 but what do homeless young people do until then?"