A CENTRE for homeless young people is to be built in the centre of Chester-le-Street.

The derelict former bingo hall site in South Burns, next to the town’s market place. is to be developed by the former owner of the town’s Crocs night club and the centre will be run by Sunderland YMCA The development will initially provide 20 beds for 16 to 25-year-olds but could have up to 30 beds in future.

The YMCA anticipates that the residents will be youngsters from across County Durham referred by various agencies.

There will also be training facilities on site that local youngsters who are not residents can use.

Jen Younger, Sunderland YMCA’s development manager, said the centre would be built by businessman Billy Walton, ex-owner of what used to be Crocs in nearby Front Street and leased to the organisation.

The Top Rank Bingo Club was gutted by fire in 1994 and demolished. Plans to build a nightclub on the site, which is between an Indian Restaurant and the Market Tavern pub, were rejected in 2003 amid fears about crime and anti-social behaviour.

Ms Younger said the facility would provide badly-needed accommodation for youngsters.

"It is very important. A lot of young people who are homeless are excluded from decent accommodation.

"A lot of 16 and 17-year-olds find it difficult to get accommodation when they are asked to leave the family home. It is very difficult for them to get the money together for a bond.’’ She said the centre, which will be called the CHYPS Foyer and already has planning permission , would have two and three-bed flats and an emergency bed.

She said it would be staffed 24 hours a day and there would be CCTV coverage.

She said youngsters with more complex needs, such as alcohol and drug problems, would be cared for by the YMCA’s centre in Sunderland.

She said: "Homeless young people are excluded from so many opportunities, and our work is focused on supporting them across County Durham to get access to education, training, employment and affordable accommodation."

Councillor Claire Vasey, the Labour cabinet member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: "CHYPS Foyer will ensure that young homeless people will have the opportunity to live happy, healthy and safe lives and to realise their aspirations.

"All of the young people will be supported by local professionals in all aspects of their development and independent living."

Two sessions are being held today (WED OCT 28) in Chester-le-Street Civic Centre between 1 and 3pm and 4 and 6pm at which residents and businesses can find out more about the scheme.