ORGANISATIONS that help Worcester's homeless have criticised a shopkeepers' petition to move street people out of their doorways.

Terri Preece, the project director at St Paul's Hostel on Tallow Hill, says Worcester needs a permanent solution rather than moving the homeless around.

Last month, shopkeepers in the Cornmarket, Mealcheapen Street and New Street signed a petition demanding the city council move on homeless people they claimed were sleeping rough in their doorways and using them as a toilet.

But moving people on will not solve the problem, claims Mrs Preece.

"We need a long-term solution and support," said Maggie Clerk, deputy manager of the centre in Deansway.

"There are some solutions, but we need support and funding."

Mrs Preece believes a night shelter would go a long way to resolving this problem because it would not only give homeless people somewhere to go, but would put them in contact with people who could help them get back on their feet.

Setting up a night shelter in Worcester is a primary concern for the Homeless Forum, a group comprised of local organisations such as St Paul's, Maggs, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, Salvation Army, and the city council.

Although organisations such as St Paul's Hostel were set up to help the homeless, there are more people who need help than they can cope with.

"Last year we turned away 400 people because we were full," said Mrs Preece, who added the night shelter would be particularly important in the winter months as sleeping rough put people's lives at risk.

"At least three people who were sleeping rough died over winter last year."

All that is needed is funding.

Mrs Preece has recommended local businesses who want to move the homeless could contribute to help solve their problem.

"People have to understand that sleeping rough isn't something these people would choose to do. They have multiple problems," said Vicki Street, an outreach worker for the Rough Sleepers Project.

"These people aren't rejects. They're always somebody's relation."

As well as financial support, Mrs Preece says St Paul's and Maggs always need more volunteers, and she has asked anyone who can offer their time and support to call the hostel on 01905 723729.