The number of people on public sector housing lists dropped to a two and a half year low at the end of 2007.

There were 1,047 people waiting for housing across the Island, compared to just over 1,200 in March last year.

The situation was the same for sheltered accomodation - the number of people on that list dropped by almost 100 to 343 during the same period.

The figures were revealed by Local Government Minister John Shimmin (pictured) in a written response to a Tynwald question from Onchan MHK David Quirk.

Mr Quirk also asked how many people had been turned down housing since 2005.

Mr Quirk was told the number was 19 - the main reason was given as the failure to respond to multiple requests for information.