Seven-year homeless high

THE number of people joining the homeless register in East Lothian is now at a seven-year high.

The council is now set to approach housebuilders to step up its affordable housing provision.

Councillor Stuart Currie said: "We don't want to see pockets of land that are ripe for development lying dormant, or half-finished houses awaiting an upturn in the economy when these could be better used now by the council to provide affordable housing.

"We are committed to working with all parties to find new and innovative ways to allow this to happen in this uncertain time."