MORE than 5000 children in Scotland will be homeless this Christmas, a charity has warned.

Shelter Scotland has just launched a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of homeless families over the festive period.

The housing and homelessness charity said around 75,000 youngsters, including 5300 in Scotland, will wake up on Christmas Day without a home.

Shelter Scotland director Graeme Brown said: "It's easy to think of homelessness as single people sleeping rough.

"What people don't often consider is the rising numbers of families who, through no fault of their own, have lost their home.

"For people with children, sofa-surfing with friends and family just isn't a realistic option and the temporary accommodation they are forced to stay in is often of poor quality."

Last year the charity helped more than 1000 people at risk of becoming homeless over the festive period.

Data from the charity's helpline and advice services show that the main causes of homelessness can be the breakdown of a relationship or the loss of a job.

Mr Brown said: "We need everyone's support in the coming months so our teams can help prevent families from becoming homeless and if the worst happens, support them to get a decent roof over their heads."