A RALLYING call has been made for a community to open its eyes and recognise the homelessness crisis in Barrow following the shocking deaths of two rough sleepers in less than two months.

Figures which suggest that there are just four rough sleepers in Barrow have been branded "nonsense" by Reverend Ian Hook who believes that there are actually three times as many as predicted by government.

Mr Hook was left shocked following the deaths of two homeless people in Barrow in September and October of last year.

Paul Hawkrigg was found dead in shrubbery behind Premier Tiles by Channelside in Barrow in September before 38-year-old heroin addict Terry Newby was found a month later.

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Mr Hook said: "The problem is not going away. The provision at the moment is only for three nights a week at CADAS but people are reluctant to leave their pitches because they know they will lose them forever.

"Clearly the figure of four is nonsense. I'm sure the government have counted four and not looked harder for the rest. There must be an ulterior motive for underestimating it - I think they would like us to think that there isn't a problem, but there is.

"We have been aware of the problem for quite some time but when people are starting to die on the streets we knew there was something wrong.

"We are not pointing the figure but we are suggesting that as a community we should do something and I mean everyone.

"Let's all look at this and decide whether we want to live in a town where we are content to see people die on the street."

Nationally, alarming statistics have shown a sharp rise in the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of England.

Figures compiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government estimated that on a single night in autumn 2016 there were 4,134 rough sleepers compared to 3,569 the previous year - an increase of 16 per cent.

The growth has since been condemned by Liberal Democrat leader and Cumbria MP Tim Farron as an "utter disgrace" and a "stain on our nation's conscience."

Despite homelessness being a prevalent issue nationwide, Mr Hook wants to start by tackling the problem in Barrrow.

In a bid to make more people in Furness aware of the plight of rough sleepers, he released a rock ballad called "Can You See Me?" as part of the "Buried in Barrow" campaign.

He has so far raised more than £3,000 which will be put towards helping rough sleepers across Barrow.

The 60-year-old is keen for a number of agencies, including Barrow Borough Council, churches and other charities across Furness, as well as members of the community, to unite as he aims to have a night shelter for the homeless open seven nights a week by the end of the year.

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Mr Hook added: "I think everyone knows it is there but we prefer to ignore it. It is an inconvenience and it makes us feel uncomfortable.

"We want people to think about it as 'would you like it if it was your brother or a member of your family?'

"We are talking about suffering human beings. We get warm and cuddly when we see appeals on the TV which is absolutely right but this is on our doorstep.

"If we are moved by national appeals should we not be moved by people dying in our town? Lots feel guilty about it but let's not stop there - let's feel the guilt and do something about it."

To donate to the Buried in Barrow cause, visit the St Mark's website by clicking here.