THE closure of the Selby coalfield could see homelessness levels rise in the district, council chiefs warned today.

Steve Martin, Selby Council's director of community services, raised the concern as the council unveiled a review of its homelessness services.

The council is obliged to carry out the review under the Homelessness Act 2002.

The documents reveal that out of the 289 households to present themselves as homeless in 2002/2003, the council had a duty to re-house 151.

A further 138 households were given housing advice and assistance.

Mr Martin said the council would now focus on the homelessness threat posed by job losses that would accompany the closure of the Selby coalfield. He said: "A particular issue for the District is the closure of the Selby coalfield, which could see the loss of 2,071 jobs directly and an estimated total of 4,000 jobs in the wider area.

"With the closure comes a risk of homelessness and the council will be monitoring the situation and accessing the implications of this in greater detail over the next few months."

Coun Liz Casling, Chair of the council's social board, said the council rated homelessness as a high priority.

Updated: 12:17 Tuesday, July 29, 2003