THE plight of homeless people in East Lancashire is under the spotlight this weekend.

Churches will join together to mark Homelessness Sunday tomorrow to raise awareness of those who sleep on the streets.

The event has already been marked in Hyndburn with a visit by leading clergy from the Blackburn Diocese, who met staff at the Christian Stables in Russia Street, Accrington.

The Stables, based at the former St Andrew's school building, has been running for five years as a registered charity that helps rehouse homeless people.

More than 40 members of the clergy, including the Archdeacon of Blackburn the Ven Dr John Marsh, the Bishop of Blackburn the Rt Rev Alan Chesters and the Bishop of Burnley the Rt Rev Martyn Jarrett attended.

They viewed the facilities, had lunch and held a service at Baxenden St John's church. Co-ordinator Barbara Fishwick, a lay reader at St Aidan's, Mill Hill, Blackburn, said: "We like to do something every year to mark Homelessness Sunday.

"Over the past five years we have helped more than 600 people to find suitable accommodation.

"We got referrals from agencies such as social services, the probation service and the youth information centre.

"They come to us for all sorts of reasons. They could have had a row with their parents or a step parent, and some have come out of prison.

"We have 35 staff who are here to help people no matter what they have done.

"Some of the people we take in have been sleeping on friends' floors, on the streets, or even in skips and often it's not their fault.

"We have a lot of contact with the council and local landlords who can help find them new accommodation."

The Stables is now hoping to join forces with St Vincent's Housing Association in the near future to build seven flats for the long term homeless.

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