Teesside towns are the only ones in England being targeted by a charity's campaign, amid fears that they conceal huge housing problems.

Throughout October, 28,000 leaflets will be distributed in the Middlesbrough and Stockton areas as part of the Homing In initiative by the homeless charity Shelter.

The towns have been identified as being at particular risk from the problems of homelessness and poor housing, and are among only a handful being targeted by the campaign, which also covers Glasgow, Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil.

Figures obtained by the charity show that while 1,100 people in Middlesbrough were recorded as homeless by the local authority, it received only 89 calls from the town. In Stockton, the number was 622 compared with 730 registered as homeless.

A spokesman for the charity said it fears that many Teessiders are either too afraid to ask for help or unaware that it is available.

"We chose the area because we weren't getting as many calls from people as we should," he said.

"There was a discrepancy between the number of calls and the social and economic data we have on the area, as well as the councils' figures.

"Many people just don't realise they can get help. They don't have to live in awful accommodation or dip into their food bills to pay the rent, but they suffer in silence."

In Middlesbrough, the town centre, North Ormesby, South Bank, Acklam and Ormesby will be targeted by the campaign, while in Stockton borough, it will focus on Port Clarence, central Stockton and Thornaby.

The scheme, which proved successful when it was piloted in Liverpool and Birmingham, will advertise Shelterline - a free, national 24-hour housing helpline - and encourage those in difficulties to seek immediate advice.

Anyone facing housing problems can call the helpline on 0808 800 4444.