The number of people or families declared homeless over the last 12 months has risen by about 600.

The high rents and house prices in Devon are being blamed.

South Hams Housing Officer Andrew Fiske said councils were working to try and prevent the problem.

He said: "We are trying to negotiate with landlords and parents with conflict resolution to get some kind of preventative approach.

"If we can prevent people becoming homeless through those sorts of avenues then it is going to help reduce the numbers."

The number of second homes in the South Hams outstrips either the private rented or social accommodation, it was revealed this month.

More than 11% of properties in the district are now second homes.

By comparison, 9% of homes are private rented and only 7% are social housing.