A PROJECT which will offer homes to former service personnel with nowhere to go has been given a £6,000 boost.

The Ministry of Defence Joint Service Housing Advice Office at Land Command headquarters has sanctioned the grant towards the conversion of the old Chapel Gallery, at Richmond.

The building work by the Church Housing Trust is expected to cost in the region of £60,000.

When it is complete, the facility will be run by the Single Person's Accommodation Centre for Ex-Services (Spaces), at nearby Catterick Garrison.

The project should be complete in October this year and will offer 13 units to former forces people who have been sleeping rough.

"The hostel is incredibly important because there are lots of people who leave the services who are at risk if we do not find housing for them," said spokesman for the Housing Advice Office, Bob Cribb.

"Spaces helps to place people from around the country but there is also a local need and we see this project satisfying that need."