Shelter has conducted a study into what it describes as the housing crisis facing Britain.

Leicester's number of homeless rose from 64 in the last quarter of 2003 to 102 in the last quarter of 2004.

Earlier this week national figures revealed a fall in new cases of homelessness in the East Midlands.

Shelter's local manager David Brazier said there was a need for more investment to help homeless families.

He said: "In smaller towns around the county people simply can't afford to buy. When they approach their local authority they get placed in bed and breakfast accommodation - this is not an acceptable arrangement.

"We need to invest more public money to achieve that."

But earlier this week, national figures revealed fewer families in the East Midlands were becoming homeless - and Leicester City Council was one of the authorities singled out for its efforts.