THE number of new homes started in the South West has dropped almost six percent says the charity Shelter. It says 3,850 were started between April-June 2009 compared to 4,080 in 2008.

THE number of new homes started in the South West has dropped almost six percent says the charity Shelter.

It says 3,850 were started between April-June 2009 compared to 4,080 in 2008.

Shelter's chief executive Sam Younger said: "These figures clearly show the devastating impact the recession is having on house building in the South West, at a time when more and more people are in desperate need of a decent home."

He said more than 161,000 were on council housing waiting lists.