SOME members of Bridport churches would like to see a homeless shelter in the town but there’s not enough support for one.

The question was asked in The Bridge, the community magazine sponsored by the Anglican church. There was a poor response but were equally in favour and against.

Bridge editor Valerie Payne said: “There are people in all the churches of Bridport who think there should be some sort of provision for travellers and wayfarers and who’d like to do something about it.

“But there is no way we could do something about it at the moment because there isn’t sufficient opinion or people with clout around who are willing to get it going.

“Although it was a very poor response we shall be revisiting it again I am sure. We all know of rough sleepers that sleep in the chapel in the garden, and I have often thought it would make the perfect night refuge.”

Philip Sealey, who is lay leader of the Unitarian and Free Christian Chapel, said unofficially people did sometimes sleep in the garden of the chapel in East Street because is was secluded but it was not something the church actively encouraged.

He said: “In the past we have had people being a bit objectionable who have created disturbance and an annoyance to the neighbours, which is not our fault, but they seem to have got the impression that we actually encourage them, which we don’t.”

As well as the regular Sunday services the church operates a peer group on Thursdays for people suffering from depression or who have had break-downs and a Saturday tea and book sale.