A PROJECT that provides support and shelter for young homeless people could be forced to withdraw the service unless it can find extra funding.

The Durham Accommodation Resource Team (Dart) works with young people aged 16 to 25 in Wear Valley and Teesdale, who are struggling to find a home.

The Dart in the Dales scheme has already helped more than 70 young people in Teesdale to find a home or provide bedding, cooking utensils and other household items.

The project, which has been part funded by the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions through the Homeless Action Programme, also helps young people to find work or training.

But the service, which was launched in 1999, looks in danger of folding after members of Teesdale District Council refused an application for £6,200 funding during 2001/2, and £12,400 funding during 2002/3.

Members of the council's community services committee said the project should be funded by the Government.

Councillor John Armstrong said: "I'm all for the scheme, which is very worthy, but I don't think we should be left to pay for it. The Government is all in favour of this but they won't put there hands in their pockets. They should put their money where their mouth is."

The scheme's funding is tapered by the department, which means it will receive less and less each year.

Judi Evans, of Dart in the Dales, said: "This is a blow for us and means that we could be forced to withdraw the service which has helped a lot of young people in the dales. We will have to look elsewhere for funding, but there are just no guarantees."