Homeless men and women are forced to live in CAVES as charities report surge in destitution Homelessness across Britain has risen by a third over the past three years Those who have lost their homes include middle classes hit by downturn Destitute people found living in squalid network of caves in Stockport Sitting in a cave, this eastern European man is feared to be one of many who are resorting to living underground for shelter. The Estonian man was pictured in sandstone caves near Stockport where others have also recently camped, leaving the natural feature strewn with rubbish and bedding. Up to four people at a time sleep rough in the secret warren, perched on a 20ft precipice overhanging the River Mersey. Squalid: An Estonian huddles up in a cave near Stockport that is strewn with rubbish and filth. For him it is home Safe: Despite the filthy conditions in the cave, it is much more secure and comfortable than the street The issue of men and women seeking refuge in cave systems such as this one in Stockport, Greater Manchester is worrying campaigners as figures show homelessness continues to surge in the economic downturn. Across the country, homelessness has risen by six per cent over the course of the past year, soaring by 34 per cent compared to three years ago. In some areas, cave formations provide the only location for a shelter which is dry and safe - leading the destitute to scratch out a squalid existence in the wilderness. The Wellspring, a local homelessness charity, says that the caves have proved a popular temporary home for those who feel they have nowhere else to go. Debris: The sleeping area of a homeless man in the caves, surrounded by piles of rubbish Entrance: The cave network is just a few minutes' walk away from the Stockport town centre Wilderness: The caves are precariously located 20ft above the River Mersey and are fairly inaccessible Jonathan Billings, project manager for the charity, said that the number of people - including an increasing number of immigrants from Eastern Europe - seeking support has doubled over the past three years. Many of those looking for help are formerly affluent middle-class people who lost their jobs in the downturn and were left without any source of income, he said. 'Unfortunately when people are sleeping rough they will come to very dangerous places,' Mr Billings added. I know of people who have fallen into the river. Sometimes kids come down and set fire to their sleeping bags when they're in them. Camping out: Another area of the caves which has been used as a shelter by a homeless person Hidden: The homeless seek out the caves because of the privacy they can provide Entrance: A homeless man's belongings are visible from an opening above the cave system Warning: Jonathan Billings, from homelessness charity Wellspring, says many people seeking help over accommodation are middle-class 'But if it wasn't there, it would be somewhere else. I think readers would be surprised by the extent of it - people are hidden away from the public eye. I don't think politicians are aware of the scale of the problem. We have got to pull together to help people, whatever their situation. Nobody wants to see people living in a cave. The financial crisis and subsequent devastating recession have depressed economic growth and driven up unemployment to 7.8 per cent. However, the cost of living has continued to rise along with house prices, meaning more people than ever before are being reduced to temporary accommodation or even forced onto the street. In London, homelessness rose by 16 per cent over the year 2012-13, while parts of Greater Manchester saw rises of as much as 40 per cent. Leading homelessness charity Crisis has called for the Government to build thousands of new affordable homes in an attempt to tackle the burgeoning problem.