A HAPPIER new year is in prospect for abused youngsters forced into a life of prostitution.

Workers have moved into a secret location in Middlesbrough, which will be transformed into a centre of operations to rescue youngsters from prostitution.

The children's charity Barnardo's, which is behind the scheme, says the centre will be in operation in January.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "It is going to be a huge boost. The initial research into the problem of child abuse through prostitution in Middlesbrough started in 1997. It will be the culmination of all our hopes, getting into new premises and really being able to start a programme.

"Everything we have worked for in the past three years will come together properly."

She said: "At the moment we are working out of temporary premises. We do outreach work on a Wednesday evening, but we want a centre where we can do outreach work, get young girls during the day at the premises and out of prostitution."

Workers at the centre will counsel youngsters and support them in finding alternative lifestyles.

The development is the result of a report, which revealed girls as young as 12 and 13 were being abused through prostitution in Middlesbrough.

Murdered prostitute Kellie Mallinson, 20, visited the drop-in centre that Barnardo's presently uses, and was talking to support workers about starting a new life