Quarterly figures for the beginning of 2004 compared to 2005 for the six districts and the Isles of Scilly show an increase from 827 families to 1,016. Shelter said it was concerned the health and education of children was suffering in temporary accommodation.

Cornwall County Council said it sought to prevent homelessness where possible.

It's important for a child to have a stable life and a secure life Ian Byworth, Shelter

The situation has particularly worsened in the Penwith and Carrick districts.

Penwith is up from 144 families in 2004 to 234 in 2005, an increase of 90.

Carrick has seen an increase of 37 families in that time, bringing its total up to 252.

The Isles of Scilly have seen an increase from no families in temporary accommodation in 2004 to six in 2005.

Ian Byworth, the Cornwall manager for Shelter, said the charity was most concerned about the effects on children.

He said: "It's important for a child to have a stable life and a secure life.

Temporary accommodation

"Temporary accommodation doesn't represent that.

"They may be in accommodation where they are away from friends and from families, they may have had to change school more than once, so the government needs to prevent this by building more homes and more long-term secure accommodation for children and families."

Shelter wants the government to tackle the crisis in the county by building an extra 1,000 homes to rent in Cornwall.

Cornwall County Council said that housing authorities within the county's district councils worked within agreed shared standards in the delivery of relevant housing services, advice and assistance.