HUNDREDS of children across Hampshire will be homeless this Christmas, new figures have revealed.

Across the county 733 youngsters, from babies to 17-year-olds, are currently living in temporary housing.

Now data released by homeless charity Shelter suggests many of them could still be without a home on Christmas Day.

A spokesman for Test Valley Borough Council said: “We recognise that this is a particularly difficult time of year for those experiencing housing problems and we will always do all we can to support families with young children. Temporary accommodation is not ideal but it does ensure people have a roof over their head while we work with them to find a more settled option.

“Since April, Test Valley Borough Council has invested an additional £100,000 in its frontline housing service, we have reduced the number of households in temporary accommodation by 24 per cent. Furthermore, the number of children currently housed in temporary accommodation has dropped to 96.”