Homeless people sleeping in Blackburn Morrisons car park

In one picture a tent is seen on the ramp of the car park - and in another a driver's dash cam picked up a man sleeping close to the first floor entrance to the store.

Morrisons said the tent on the ramp had blown there from its original site just yards away on The Boulevard near the railway station.

It is thought several people currently spend nights in the Railway Road store's car park with Blackburn with Darwen Council accepting the current dozen plus regular rough sleepers was the borough's highest in recent times.

A spokesman for Morrisons said the tent on the ramp had been pitched outside the Nightsafe shelter for homeless 16 to 24-year-olds.

The shelter is understood to be full every evening with staff forced to signpost young people to council services.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern and Cllr John Slater, leader of the borough Tory group, have expressed concern at the number of homeless people sleeping rough despite the cold weather.

Those using Morrisons car park are understood to have rejected council 'Street Reach' staff's attempts to provide shelter.

Last month homeless Andrew Davie died on Blackburn's Townsmoor Retail Park.

At a recent council scrutiny committee meeting borough community safety manager Mark Aspin said at least 13 people regularly slept rough - the worst he had known.

Ms Hollern said: "I know how many local people are concerned about the increase in homelessness in Blackburn, and are keen to see what action the authorities are taking. A single point of contact support system would help to focus the work being done and ensure the needs of individuals are met.

"I am pleased the council and other public bodies are committed to putting in place some definite provision to ensure a joined up approach."

Cllr Slater said: "I am very concerned at the borough's high number of rough sleepers. It is very sad that people are forced to sleep on the street in the current weather but some decline help. More needs to be done."

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Cllr Shaukat Hussain, borough neighbourhoods boss, said: "Our Street Reach team go out regularly and give people who may have nowhere to go the chance to use the available shelters in the town. Some people choose not to use these but the option and space is there. We currently have emergency winter provision to make sure no-one has to sleep outside."