MORECAMBE MP Geraldine Smith has slammed crisis hit charity Homeless Action for directing ex-offenders and drug addicts to the West End of Morecambe.

Her comments come a week when her Labour colleague, Hilton Dawson, launched a campaign to save the organisation.

Ms Smith said: "I think Morecambe has the potential to attract a mix of people. It should not be a dumping ground for the most disadvantaged.

"People have to live somewhere, but it is quite wrong and unfair to put all those people in the same place.

"If you are an ex-drug addict, the last thing you need is to be left in an area which has a heroin problem."

She cited a letter sent to her by Homeless Action's Justin Kelly, which said that Morecambe's high level of temporary accommodation mean it's always likely to attract homeless young people.

Lancaster City Council last week rejected a proposal to put any unexpected savings in this year's budget towards Homeless Action and four other housing charities.

She added: "I think the council had some tough decisions to make as I understand it had a very tight budget.

"I don't think people in Morecambe want to pay their council tax to fund an organisation which is moving homeless people into Morecambe."

"If we are being completely obvious, there are no cardboard cities in Lancaster and Morecambe, there is enough accommodation for everybody.

"I have discussed this with Hilton and I would be happy to meet with Hilton and with Lancaster Homeless Action.

"People with social problems do have to live somewhere. Perhaps Hilton could suggest some suitable homes in his own constituency?"

Mr Dawson, who says new Government legislation will mean the council will have to provide most of the services currently offered by Homeless Action, responded: "I'm not interested in having a Lancaster/Morecambe split over this issue. It has got to be in everyone's interest to solve the problem of homelessness.

"I have heard similar comments made by city councillors, yet we have a city council which publishes a bed and breakfast accommodation list where every property listed is in Morecambe.

"To say, as some city councillors have done, that to close Homeless Action would relieve the problems of the West End, is simply not realistic."

"Frankly, people who require cheap accommodation will move to wherever that accommodation is available. That has got nothing to do with Homeless Action."

The campaign to save Homeless Action has also been backed by the Lancaster branch of the Labour party at its latest meeting.

The next public meeting in the campaign to save Homeless Action is at 7.30pm next Monday at the Homeless Action centre on Edward Street.