THE number of homeless people in Bolton has fallen for the first time in six years.

Over the last year, 1,712 people were assessed under homelessness legislation nine less than in 2003/4.

The new figures from Bolton Council have also revealed that there are currently between two and five sleeping rough on the streets long term and no more than two homeless people sleeping rough for short periods.

The figures come as the Government revealed that the number of people sleeping rough across the country has fallen to a record low.

In the North-west, annual figures for 2005 show an 81 per cent reduction in the number of people sleeping rough in the region since 1998, down from 181 to 35.

The number of people presenting themselves as homeless in Bolton has risen every year since 1999/00 when the figures stood at 1,072.

Town hall bosses claim that by working together with a number of different agencies they have been able to prevent people ending up on the streets.

Jeff Smethurst, chief housing officer at Bolton Council, said: "As with most large towns and cities, Bolton has a number of people who will at times resort to sleeping rough due to a range of difficult circumstances.

"While this may be due to lack of accommodation at that time, it is often complicated by, for example, issues of substance misuse.

"While the level of rough sleeping in Bolton is estimated at below 10, there are a number of agencies who seek to prevent homelessness; help people to keep accommodation; and work with people who may be rough sleeping to obtain accommodation as well as provide support."

In Bolton, a local charitable organisation, Urban Outreach (Street Life and Winterwatch projects) are the main focus for an inter-agency approach to the issue, which has meant that significant improvements have been made at reducing the levels of rough sleeping and offering preventative help to those at risk of becoming homeless.

Estimates, based on the direct contact work of these agencies, suggest that there are between two and five long term cases and one or two short term rough sleepers at any one time.