AN outreach programme which offered a lifeline for rough sleepers in the town has been cut.

Brighter Futures, who have provided support to those living on the streets in Warrington since October 2012, have had their funding stopped by the council.

Since its launch in the town three years ago, the team have worked with 333 individuals successfully supporting 253 of those into accommodation between October 2012 and July 2015.

Communications manager Charlotte Kay said: "Brighter Futures are sad to confirm that their contract to support rough sleepers in Warrington has come to an end.

"Support for people sleeping rough has been provided by Brighter Futures in Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire for twenty years.

"The service was opened in Warrington three years ago. 

"During this time the rough sleepers' team have developed specialist knowledge which was used to excellent effect in Warrington. 

"The team worked closely with local PCSOs, street wardens and other professionals to locate and identify rough sleepers. 

"Support packages were then put together based on the needs of the individual to help with the issues which had led to them becoming homeless as well as helping them to secure long term and sustainable accommodation. 

"The impact has been tangible and the town had seen a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour such as street begging."

One former rough sleeper, who has asked only to be named as Ray, said he is concerned by the cut in funding after he was referred to service by the team at the YMCA - a charity which is also under threat of closure due to a lack of funding.

The 58-year-old, who became homeless in July after his relationship broke down while he was in prison, said: "Without Brighter Futures I wouldn’t have known where to start and certainly don’t know where I would be now. 

"I am indebted to the team for looking after me and have not looked back since they started to support me.

"Before I experienced homelessness I had no idea how many people were homeless and the challenges they face just to survive. 

"If Brighter Futures aren’t going to be here to support these people who will?"

A council spokesman said: "The Brighter Futures was a Rough Sleeper Outreach service contract expired in early October. 

"In its place we have developed a multi-agency approach as detailed in our Transition plan, that has successfully, to date,  been able to deliver positive outcomes for Rough Sleepers post October."