THE commander of York Police, the leader of City of York Council and the Dean of York joined the city's disadvantaged and homeless for an informal drink in a pub.

They were celebrating the fifth anniversary of York's Arc Light homeless hostel.

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick, Councillor Steve Galloway and the Very Reverend Keith Jones rubbed shoulders with the city's less well-off in The Junction pub to recognise five years of help for the homeless.

Arc Light was set up in response to the growing numbers of people sleeping rough on the streets of York.

The centre in Leeman Road offers dormitory accommodation for 40 homeless people, as well as food, showers and medical services.

Jeremy Jones, director of the Arc Light project, said: "We believe everybody has an equal chance in life and the party demonstrated that.

"Last night was social inclusion in action, and that's what Arc Light is all about - being able to bring people from all walks of life together with a common purpose.

"The centre will be going on to bigger and better things, so the future is bright for Arc Light."

As Arc Light celebrated its anniversary, new figures were published showing a 77 per cent jump in homelessness in the last six years in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The increase is the second highest in England, and compares with an increase of just 27 per cent in the south of the country.

Homeless charity Shelter called for an urgent review of affordable homes policy to address the problem.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, December 10, 2004