The Emmaus group recently held a public meeting in the town to look at the possibility of such a scheme being set up locally.

A group has been set up to visit the existing scheme in Brighton before any decision is made about a community in Eastbourne.

A spokesman for the group said, "The estimates suggest that there are between five to 30 homeless people in Eastbourne and we would be targeting these people and giving them a bed, work and job training.

"The idea is that someone who is homeless can get the necessary skills to gain employment. At the moment it is much at the beginning stages and we want people to see the community in Brighton then we can decide if we can help.

"The first step will be talking to homeless people. The second will be to talk to organisations working with the homeless such as the Salvation Army and Oasis.

"There are about eight organisations in Eastbourne and we want to talk to them all as well as various statutory bodies such as the council."

Brighton is considered to be a model of excellence for Emmaus and there are 13 such projects around the country and 400 internationally.

The spokesman added, "We still need people to register their interest then we will be able to have a serious discussion to see if it's right for the area."

Further information is available by calling 01323 638234.

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