A Skipton community is calling for something to be done to help a "vulnerable" woman who is sleeping rough on a bench after being evicted from her home.

The woman, aged around 65, was thrown out of her Craven Housing home on Broughton Grove last Wednesday.

Since then she has been spending her nights on a bench at the end of the road with only her dog for company.

Her belongings have been taken into storage.

Residents have supplied her with items such as a duvet and dog food, but there are growing concerns for her safety as she has been taunted and even pushed over by youths.

Georgina Stodart, who lives in Broughton Road, said everybody was upset to see the woman bedding down for the night on the bench.

She added: "To see a lady put on the streets and on Friday night-time in that pouring rain, she was drenched to the skin.

"In this day and age they should not be on the streets. We are not in London or Birmingham. It's the first time I have ever seen it in Skipton."

Coun Andrew Rankine, who lives on Aireview Terrace, off Broughton Road, is looking into what can be done to help the woman and Mrs Stodart has called on other councillors to follow his lead.

"I want to see something being done for her. She can't carry on living on the streets," she said.

Coun Rankine has been contacted by a number of residents about the situation.

He has now been in touch with groups, such as Craven Advocacy, housing organisations and national bodies such as North Yorkshire & York Housing Advice Resource Project. However, there have been problems as the woman will not be separated from her dog.

Coun Rankine, who has also allowed the woman to use his bathroom, said: "I feel Craven Housing have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help. What I am angry about is the policies and failures of this Government to provide safety nets for people who are vulnerable."

He said he was worried because she was a vulnerable woman and youths driving past her on the bench were beeping their horns and intimidating her.

A spokesman for Craven Housing said the woman had a history of being evicted from homes. She was offered a bungalow on Broughton Grove in October 2004 subject to her signing an Acceptable Behaviour Contract and temporary tenancy agreement.

Possession proceedings were started the following month when problems begun.

David Bolton, acting director of Craven Housing Association, said: "Craven Housing regrets very much that her actions have once again led to her becoming homeless.

"Craven Housing Association found accommodation for her after one of our officers found her sleeping in a shop doorway in Skipton. However, she has a history of repeated anti-social behaviour, particularly towards some of her neighbours and has also threatened our staff with violence. Her actions have led her to be placed on the violent and challenging behaviour register.

"We have a duty to protect our tenants and unfortunately we were left with no option but to seek an eviction order as a result of her threatening and anti social actions.

"She has been given every opportunity since last June to demonstrate that she can be reasonable towards her neighbours. She had failed to do this other than for very short periods."