DOMESTIC violence is one of the main causes of homelessness in Scarborough, according to a new report.

In the past year there were 761 reported incidents of violence resulting in 48 women and 59 children searching for emergency accommodation.

Ray Williamson, the borough council's head of regeneration, said the council had a homeless strategy to help reduce the problem.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council is producing a strategy to deal with domestic abuse over the next four years by raising awareness, education in schools and police action.

A county council spokesman said: "There is a lot of work to do in order to build the infrastructure and commitment necessary across the many agencies involved in the delivery of services to survivors and abusers."