HOMELESS families are costing council taxpayers on the Yorkshire coast £8,000 a week in bed and breakfast accommodation.

The leader of Scarborough Council, Councillor Eileen Bosomworth, said it was vital that action was taken to action to reduce the number of homeless people because up to 400 families could be made homeless by the end of this year.

"As a result the council could be faced with a £400,000 bill for housing homeless people in temporary accommodation" she said.

The council has agreed to seek funding from the Local Strategic Partnership for the area and bids from the Second Homes Fund.

A homeless prevention officer will also be appointed to give advice to families who are to be charged for bed and breakfast accommodation and for staying at Newburn House, Scarborough, a homeless hostel.

Andy Skelton, head of environmental services, said the main aim was to focus on prevention of homelessness.

"It will help reduce current levels of those presenting themselves as homeless and ultimately to provide a better and more proactive service for those with housing difficulties."

The council is also looking at buying a property in Whitby suitable for use as a homeless hostel.

The housing advice worker will mediate with landlords to come up with "rescuing tenancies" to prevent homelessness, while the prevention officer will explore ways of getting different rent options agreed.