The Proclaimers hit tops song poll

7:06am Wednesday 19th November 2008

A hit by The Proclaimers has been chosen as the song that most reminds Scots of home, it has been announced.

The foot-stomping anthem I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) was the number one choice, according to the charity Shelter Scotland.

The poll was carried out as part of the charity's Hometime Scotland campaign, which was launched this summer in a bid to ensure the target of ending homelessness by 2012 is met.

Graeme Brown, Shelter Scotland director, is due to hand guitar cases stuffed with 4,000 postcards in support of the campaign to health and wellbeing secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

And he called for extra funding for housing in next year's budget to help meet the 2012 target.

Mr Brown said: "If the 2012 homelessness target seems like 500 miles away, then we're about 250 miles towards meeting it right now. But we need to pick up speed to travel the extra distance.

"Our next hurdle is the 2009-10 budget. We need to see increased cash for housing through that budget to ensure housing for all.

"We know times are tough just now but a home is a right, not a luxury."

The Proclaimers - twins Charlie and Craig Reid - backed Shelter Scotland's campaign and said: "We'd be the ones who'd walk 500 miles to make sure that everyone in Scotland has a home.

"Having a house is an inherent right for people and one they shouldn't have to fight for, or fork out more than they can afford and we're delighted to be the top Hometime Scotland song and the one that reminds people of home. It's an honour."