A hard-hitting new film about the problems of homelessness has been launched by a hit actor who has experienced it first hand.

Address Unknown, is based on a real life case study and will be shown in Scottish schools.

The short film is particularly poignant for one of its stars, Edinburgh actor Gary McCormack.

He is currently on screen in the award-winning Ken Loach movie Sweet Sixteen, but just a few years ago he was homeless.

Gary McCormack (left) appeared in Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen

Recent acting successes have seen him land a part alongside Leonardo Di Caprio in Martin Scorcese's epic Gangs of New York.

But he said he had "absolutely no hesitation" in committing himself to the film, commissioned by the homelessness charity Shelter.

Speaking in Edinburgh at the first screening of the film, he said: "When you are homeless, you suffer anxiety, depression and all that comes with it.

"With me being older I was able to pick myself up I did find it very difficult.

"More worrying these days is that such a large number of children face homelessness, making them an easy target for certain people who are only too happy to take advantage of their situation for personal gain."

Raise awareness

Shelter said thousands of Scots aged under 18 are forced to apply to local councils for rehousing every year.

Liz Nicholson, director of Shelter Scotland, said the charity would be sending the film to secondary schools across the country to raise awareness of the problem.

She said: "The principle aim of the film is to highlight the impact of homelessness on people in Scotland today.

"Over 4,000 under 18s are forced to apply to local authorities for re-housing each year in Scotland, which is nine children for every secondary school."