THOUSANDS of vulnerable children faced the grim prospect of life on the streets last year, according to shocking new figures.

Shelter, the homeless charity, revealed yesterday that more than 4,500 youngsters were left homeless in the North-East during 2001, along with 8,500 in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The charity has called on the Government to change its rent rules so that families and young people who get housing benefit have their full rent covered.

The move, it said, would encourage landlords to let their properties to families on low incomes, as well as protecting families from falling behind with their rent payments.

The calls, which come before the Government's forthcoming Spending Review, include upping the single-room allowance for single people under 25, which is currently about £38 per week.

Chris Holmes, director of Shelter, said: "Thousands of children across the country are experiencing the terrible hardships of homelessness, with devastating effects on their education, health and wellbeing.

"It is vital that preventative measures, such as changes to housing benefit, are put in place if the Government is to make a real difference to their lives."

Tom Adams is project manager of the National Children's Homes (NCH) Tubwell Project, in Darlington, which provides help to young people leaving the care system and others who are homeless.

He said: "One of the real difficulties is getting access to quality, short-term accommodation for young people. Although there are a range of initiatives in Darlington, you always need more than there is.

"We are a wealthy enough society. We should be able to provide accommodation for all our young people and their families."

Nightstop Darlington has provided emergency accommodation for homeless young people since 1993.

Coordinator Sue Woollhouse said: "I'm not at all surprised by these figures. Many young people find themselves in crisis.

"We need specialised hostels because at the moment they mix everyone in together.

"It may not be appropriate for someone with a drink problem to share with more nave youngsters or sometimes young girls don't want to share with men."

The North-East had one of the lowest homeless figures in the country compared with 12,000 in North West and Merseyside; 12,200 in the West Midlands; 12,500 in the South East and 26,000 in London