More than 3,500 people in the South-East were homeless or threatened with homelessness during the last three months of last year.

The figure of 3,590, released by the Government yesterday, is down on the previous quarter's total of 3,780 but up on the same period last year when there were 3,060 households in need.

The figures show local authorities in the area, which covers nine regions including East and West Sussex, accepted the households needed help finding suitable housing because they were homeless or threatened with homelessness through no fault of their own or were vulnerable because of health or other grounds.

The households made up 1.1 per cent of the population of the South East.

During the whole of last year there were 14,310 homeless families and individuals in the South-East, who made up 4.3 per cent of the population.

In 1999 there were 12,570 homeless households in the region and in 1998 there were 12,860.

Across England there were 27,130 individuals and families officially recognised as homeless in the last three months of last year, who made up 1.3 per cent of the population.

During the whole of last year there were 110,790 homeless individuals and families across England.

In 1999 there were 105,460 homeless households in England and in 1998 there were 104,490.