LEEDS Council must "face up to the crisis in rented housing" after more than 450 families entered bids for a single home, councillors said.

The three-bedroom family home on a popular estate attracted 463 applicants. Labour councillors have now called on the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition leaders on the council to take over empty houses and flats when they have been unoccupied for a long time.

Clr Richard Lewis said: "The number of people bidding for homes provides a shocking picture of housing need in Leeds.

"The people who are suffering most are those whose only option is to rent but cannot afford market rents."

Clr Lewis, said new figures showed about 31,000 people were on the council housing waiting list, with 18,500 new applications in 2005/06 alone.

The house is in Foxcroft Road, Headingley.