Lewisham campaigners have put up their own "house" outside Catford town hall in a protest over affordable homes.

People Before Profit put up the building, made from estate agent boards, last night on the entrance green to Catford town hall.

John Hamilton from the group said things were going "very well" there today with people signing a petition and drivers "honking for homes", despite reported efforts by council contractors to put a 12ft high fence around their "House of Cards".

The group says the protest is designed to highlight the large number of families in hostels and B&Bs, along with the lack of council homes built in the borough.

News Shopper:

Mr Hamilton said: "It's a live topic across London and Lewisham doesn't have a great record on it."

He added: "We want all new housing to be affordable until the 600 families in temporary accommodation have a home.

"We need drastic action."

Lewisham Council is planning a small "pop-up village" of portable housing on the site of the old Ladywell Leisure Centre and has recently embarked on a project to build the borough's first new council housing in 30 years.

And Councillor Joe Dromey has hit out at the housing protest on Twitter, saying: "While @PeopleB_4Profit build shacks as a stunt, @lewishamlabour are building homes we need. 500 council homes by 2018."

In a similar protest last February, People Before Profit built another 'house' on council owned land in New Cross - a building Coun Dromey dismissed today as a "crap-shack".

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: “The shortage of housing is affecting families and individuals right across London. It’s an issue that many people feel strongly about, I fully recognise that and I am passionate about it myself.

“It’s why I have made housing a top priority for the council. This council is working hard to improve the supply of housing to families in housing need by building at least 500 homes ourselves by 2018, working with housing associations and private developers to get them to build more, bringing empty properties back into use and improving the supply of good quality private rented accommodation.

"We are also looking at innovative solutions like our pop-up village to use land that is temporarily vacant.

“People before Profit seem to be unaware of the above facts."