HOUSING chiefs in the New Forest have vowed to improve their performance after being rapped by local government watchdogs.

A hard-hitting report by the Audit Commission says homeless people in the Forest are spending too long in temporary accommodation before being rehoused by the district council.

The Tory-run authority is among the worst in the country when it comes to finding families new homes, according to the commission.

Its report says: "The time spent by homeless households in bed and breakfast or hostel accommodation is longer than that experienced by homeless households elsewhere, with the council remaining in the worst 25 per cent nationally.

"The number of households accepted as priority homeless' in 2006-2007 also remained in the worst 25 per cent."

However, the report said the council's performance as a landlord was improving and was generally above average compared with other authorities across the country.

It added: "The council is actively working to prevent homelessness and has a range of mechanisms in place."

Jill Cleary, Cabinet member of housing, told fellow councillors: "We're all really striving to tackle the difficulties we face."

Referring to the council's decision to lease homes in the private sector she added: "We have 20 units already and are looking to expand."

Maureen Robinson, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group, said: "Council officers are coming up with the goods but there are fundamental issues that need to be addressed. We need to step up a gear."

Former council chairman Michael Pemberton claimed that the huge number of second homes in the Forest was adding to the accommodation crisis.

Fellow Tory councillor Maureen Holding said: "It's critical we get more housing and a lot of work is being done.

"We will do better and we will do more."

Chief executive Dave Yates added: "We recognise there are issues, we are addressing them, there is more we can do."