Darlington is to become the first town in the region to provide young single mothers with supported accommodation.

Tees Valley Housing Group and Darlington Borough Council are planning to demolish Gladstone Hall, a former residential nursing home in Gladstone Street, and turn part of the site into a supported unit for young mothers.

With six self-contained, two-bedroom flats for rent by 16 to 25-year-olds, the unit will also include a communal lounge, a laundry, a shower room and guest room.

There will also be a shared garden where small children can play in safety.

Most of the residents are expected to be under 21 and will stay in the accommodation for between nine and 12 months.

Young people will be referred to the scheme from a wide range of agencies, including social services and the council's housing department.

An office will also be provided for Sure Start staff, teenage pregnancy workers and other agency staff.

Living quarters will also be provided for a social care worker.

A member of staff will be on site every night, and the young parents will be given continuous support during weekends.

During the week there will be some staff presence, but it is hoped most of the young people will be out looking for new accommodation, work or training.

Also planned for the site, which will be funded and managed by the Tees Valley Housing Group, is a separate development of nine two, three and four-bedroom houses, one of which will be fully wheelchair accessible.

An artist's drawing of the proposed unit, the first in the North-East, was unveiled to the public this week.

It is expected to be up and running by next September.

Three years ago, Darlington was among the worst areas in the country for teenage pregnancies, with a reported 63 out of every 1,000 15 to 17-year-olds falling pregnant. Last year the figure dropped to 54.

Donna Thorne, Darlington Primary Care Trust's teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said: "Support packages provided by the unit will enable young mums to go back to education or work, and also teach them how to be a good mum.

"After two years, we would expect mums to be confident to move on to a more independent lifestyle."