Between 20 and 25 people will spend this Christmas night sleeping on the streets of Swindon. And this figure could rise in the next few years. Victoria Tagg reports.

AN ESTIMATED 20 to 25 people sleep rough in Swindon every night.

Phil Smith, resources manager at Culvery Court, a hostel for the homeless in Harding Street, fears this figure will increase.

He said: "The demand for housing simply outstrips the supply. The waiting list for council accommodation is constantly growing and there aren't enough new ones being built."

Culvery Court first opened in 1994. It is one of eight hostels in Swindon, supported by the charity Threshold Housing Link. In total these hostels can accommodate 46 homeless people and cost around £900,000-a-year to run. They are funded by Government and local authority grants, rent contributions from residents and fundraising. Last year Culvery Court, which has 20 rooms, turned away callers 800 times.

Mr Smith said: "The sad reality is we cannot help everyone. We get people of all ages, from 16-year-olds to pensioners, from all walks of life."

He is particularly concerned about the rise of young residents with behavioural problems.

He said: "They have often become involved with drugs and alcohol from as young as 13. Temper tantrums are common and they will break furniture. We have had to evict people in the past."

The rules at Culvery Court are strict. No alcohol or drugs are allowed on the premises and anyone who tries to enter the building drunk is told by staff to take a walk.

A cooked breakfast and evening meal is provided and key workers monitor residents' progress.

Residents must return by midnight when the doors are locked until 8am.

There is no limit to how long residents can stay, although they must show a determination to change their lifestyle.

Mr Smith said: "People can stay for a matter of days or many months. But it is an emergency accommodation service, so residents must eventually move on."

He will come to see residents on Christmas day while they enjoy turkey and festive TV.

He said: "I wouldn't be doing this job if I didn't think there was hope for all our residents. Some manage to break the cycle, others have to come back and try again."