A service is being set up to provide emergency accommodation for young homeless people in Teesdale.

Figures show that homelessness in the dale has drastically increased, and a new charity is being set up to try and help.

Stop2Night Teesdale will provide young people aged between 16 and 25 with a place to stay in a volunteer's home for up to three nights while more permanent accommodation is found.

Reverend Jane Grieve, from Churches Together in Barnard Castle, said: "The idea came from a conversation I had with Sarah Jack, from the Market Towns Partnership.

"We were talking about what issues and challenges there are to face for young people in Teesdale.

"I think housing and homelessness is one of them. I'd been involved with Nightstop elsewhere in the county and it went from there."

The service aims to be running by January 2005 initially, and will be an extension of the Darlington Stop2Night service.

It is hoped that organisations such as the YMCA and social services will refer young homeless people in Teesdale to Darlington Stop2Night, which will then find places for the young people to stay.

Joanne Kay, a rural housing enabler for Durham Rural Community Council, said that in the first quarter of 2004, 25 people had asked for housing in Teesdale, compared with one person for the same period last year.

Many of the homeless people in Teesdale are 'sofa surfers' who spend occasional nights at friend's houses, but have nowhere permenant to stay.

Ms Kay said: "There's no emergency provision for 16 to 25-year-olds in the Teesdale area at all.

"It can be a catch 22 situation as, if you're 16, you're not allowed to rent or buy anywhere, and there aren't the support mechanisms there for you."

Young people referred to Stop2Night will be checked to see if they have a history of theft or violent crime before being placed with a host.

Funding has already been found to allow the service to operate for one year.

Already, seven people have expressed interest in acting as hosts and some people have volunteered to be drivers.

For more details about the service, contact Ms Grieve on (01833) 638253.