The three hostels look after 62 residents

They are angry that funding for facilities has been withdrawn by the county council.

But the council says the hostels do not comply with insurance and health and safety legislation.

Matthew House, in St Mawgan, Luke House, in St Columb Minor, and Simon House, in Falmouth, provide more than half the services available to addicts in the county.

This is the only period of my where I've had sustained sobriety Matthew House resident Paul Percival

The residents of the hostels received letters from Cornwall County Council saying funding was being withdrawn because of a failure to display insurance documents relating to health and safety.

But Matthew House owner John Llewellyn said the funding body Supporting People promised it would help him.

He said: "I question why they've closed all the houses when, not one month ago, Supporting People promised me and everyone else they would help every way possible and nobody would be closed down."

Paul Percival, a former Royal Marine, is a recovering alcoholic. He said he was dependent on Matthew House for support.

Cornwall County Council said it would provide after-care

He said: "This is the only period of my where I've had sustained sobriety. It works, we counsel each other and the staff are very supportive.

"I don't know what would happen if it closed because we have nowhere to go."

Staff have pledged to continue unpaid. But with money for food and upkeep due to run out in seven days, they face a similar fate to the residents.

Hostel manager Sue Robinson said: "It's going to put another 62 people out on the streets, plus staff. It'll swell the number of homeless in Cornwall."