THERE is no doubt that there are some impoverished areas in Wiltshire but in the main this county has a reasonable standard of living.

Many of us enjoy a far more comfortable lifestyle than that, and there are a great many whose lot is far worse. So we should take heed after the charity Kennet Action for Single Homeless spoke of the desperate need for a night shelter and drop-in centre for the increasing number of homeless people on the streets of Devizes and Marlborough.

This isn't a problem confined to these areas. The sight of young men and women begging on the streets of Chippenham, Calne, Malmesbury and the Swindon area is not unusual.

KASH fears that little is being done to address the needs of these people, many of whom have drug problems. They live outside of the welfare state and as such are outsiders when it comes to getting help and treatment.

Many shun these official sources of help anyway because, in the case of the youngsters, they are worried it may lead them to being sent back home to difficult family situations.

KASH wants a shelter where the homeless can get a bed for the night and something to eat.

It will face a struggle to achieve this. Firstly there is the question of funding and secondly is the thornier issue of where this shelter might be sited. Few communities are likely to welcome a shelter because of the fear of disturbance.

However unreasonable these fears might be they will have to be overcome.

The homeless problem is only likely to get worse and KASH will need all of our support to tackle it.