A YOUTH homelessness charity opened its first accommodation-based service outside London yesterday.

North-west Durham MP Hilary Armstrong opened the Centrepoint service in Consett, County Durham, to house vulnerable people aged 16 to 25.

It has 11 beds in five self-catering units and will offer a safe and secure environment for homeless young people for up to six months.

Each young person will work with Centrepoint staff to draw up a plan for their housing, income, life skills, learning, work and health needs. There are also computers available for them to use.

Ms Armstrong said: "This new service will make a major contribution in helping to support some of our most vulnerable young people.

"The Government remains committed to making homelessness a thing of the past, and I am pleased that Derwentside District Council is using Centrepoint's expertise to help deliver its homelessness strategy."

The building is leased from the council and has been refitted with help from Crash, the construction and property industry's charity for homeless people, the council and building company George Wimpey, among others.

Centrepoint chief executive Anthony Lawton said: "We are delighted to announce the opening of Centrepoint Derwentside, our first accommodation-based service outside London.

"We are grateful to Crash and our other supporters for making this possible and to Derwentside District Council, which recognised that there was a need for such a service, helped secure funding for it and who forged a partnership with us at Centrepoint to deliver it.

"The service at Derwentside builds on our 35 years of experience in supporting and working with young people, especially those who are at risk by providing a safe place to stay while they begin to rebuild their lives."