A PIONEERING centre to help homeless veterans rebuild their lives will open this year, it was announced today.

The first unit of its kind will be run in Newcastle by the housing charity Norcare with the support of the Royal British Legion, and more will follow in major cities and towns across the UK.

There have been concerns about the number of ex-services personnel who have fallen on hard times after returning to civilian life following active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many are living rough, or are "sofa surfers", staying for short spells in friends living rooms.

A survey commissioned by the Ex-Service Action Group from York University academics found six per cent of homeless people in London were ex-services.

The Norcare Veterans Centre in Newcastle will offer accommodation for five people, as well as a day centre where up to 35 visitors will be able to get help in training and employment, financial advice, family liaison and counselling, as well as specialist help for trauma.

Norcare chief executive Susan Bickerton said: "The public is aware of the ongoing conflicts but society has forgotten the army of war veterans that have returned from combat, left the Forces and fallen on hard times.

"Hundreds if not thousands of war veterans have slipped through the support net and are extremely vulnerable.

"They are either homeless and living rough on the streets or are sofa surfers - bedding down in the living rooms of friends and family as they have nowhere else to sleep.

"Working with The Royal British Legion, Norcare is piloting a centre that will re-create home life for ex-servicemen and women that have fallen on hard times while they are helped to find homes and employment.

"We need to rebuild their lives and help re-integrate them back into civilian life."

The £700,000 centre will be located in Bentinck Road, in the city's West End, and will open next year.

Sue Freeth, director of welfare at The Royal British Legion, said: "The Royal British Legion is experiencing an increased requirement to house and support homeless veterans and we look forward to working with Norcare in developing this much-needed centre."