A NUMBER of children in Redditch will wake up homeless and in temporary accommodation this Christmas.

Figures released by charity Shelter reveal that 15 children are currently homeless in the town.

Across Britain, one in every 111 children is currently homeless, and with the country still at the mercy of a worsening housing crisis, 2017 has seen the highest numbers of homeless children in a decade.

In the last year alone, 61 per cent of the families helped by Shelter’s frontline services were homeless or on the brink of losing their home.

With at least 16 families becoming homeless every day in the West Midlands, the charity is calling on the public to support its urgent Christmas appeal.

Shelter Birmingham Hub manager, Vicky Hines said: “No child should have to spend Christmas without a home.

“Many of us will spend Christmas day enjoying all of the festive traditions we cherish, but sadly it’ll be a different story for those children hidden away in cramped B&Bs or hostel rooms. Imagine living in a noisy strange place full of people you don’t know, and waking up exhausted from having no choice but to share a bed with your siblings or parents.

“That’s why our frontline advisers will continue to work tirelessly to help more families fighting homelessness.

"But we can’t do this alone. We’re asking people to help a homeless family and make giving to Shelter their new Christmas tradition.”

To support Shelter’s urgent Christmas appeal, visit shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70080 to donate £3.