MORE than 200 children in the North-East will wake up homeless on Christmas Day, a charity has warned.

Shelter is highlighting the figures to launch its new campaign to raise awareness of the plight of homeless families in the region this Christmas.

The charity said it was particularly concerned about the increase in families forced to live in bed and breakfast accommodation in the North-East.

Last December, Shelter’s helpline and local advice centres like Shelter North East in Newcastle helped more than 1,000 people at risk of becoming homeless over the festive period.

This December the charity is expecting even greater numbers of people who have nowhere else to turn to contact them for help.

Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter said: “No child should be homeless in the North-East this Christmas.

“Every December, Shelter’s helpline and advice centres deal with thousands of people at risk of losing their home.

“We need everyone’s support in the coming months so our advisors can help prevent families from becoming homeless, and help them into a home if the worst should happen.”

The main triggers of homelessness include relationship breakdowns, job losses and landlords ending renters’ tenancies.