A NEW national scheme aiming to ensure people leaving the armed forces do not end up sleeping rough was due to be launched yesterday in Catterick Garrison.

The garrison, Europe's largest military base, is to be at the centre of an innovative project run by the national housing association English Churches Housing Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Defence.

Funded by the Government, the Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services (SPACES) is planning to cut the number of single ex-service personnel sleeping rough on Britain's streets.

Around 25 per cent of people currently sleeping rough have a forces background and the organisation will act as an accommodation placement agency for single service personnel who are about to leave the forces.

The scheme was launched by Defence Secretary Geoffrey Hoon, who said: "I welcome the opportunity to be involved in this project. It will be an important contribution to the Government's initiative to reduce the problem of rough sleeping. I am committed to ensuring that those who have served in the Armed Forces are treated with the respect they deserve.

"The SPACES project will provide advice on accommodation, benefits and employment to vulnerable service leavers and this will help to ensure that they do not end up sleeping rough."

Head of the Government's Rough Sleepers Unit, Louise Grey, who has the target of reducing the number of people sleeping rough by two thirds by 2002, said: "We are delighted to be funding this scheme and working in partnership with the Armed Forces in recognition of the difficulties faced by many when they leave the forces.

"As well as helping those sleeping rough tonight, we must prevent a new generation of tomorrow's rough sleepers.

"That is why the Government is targeting help on those leaving prison, the armed forces and children leaving care to ensure they do not end up in a doorway."