WORKERS arriving at Churchgate this morning were greeted by the sight of a homeless family of three camping in the grounds of Bolton Parish Church.

Husband and wife William and Kathleen Cameron, 56 and 50, and their 28-year-old nephew Andy Stewart spent the night squashed into a one man tent.

The family said they have been living rough for around a year.

Mr Cameron said: "We have tried everything in the book but the Salvation Army didn't have any room and we couldn't afford a B&B.

"We are getting no help at all. It seems that people can come from other countries and be given all sorts of things but we're from this country and we are having to live like this."

The Rev Michael Williams, vicar of Bolton Parish Church, said: "I would think rather than camping they should see if there's any accommodation. We would encourage people to pursue other avenues.

"What the churches have done in Bolton, particularly through the Salvation Army, is to sponsor a large amount of work with homeless people.

"But whatever safety nets you put in place there will always be some people who will fall through."